BEDFORD – On February 13, 2024, at 2:06 p.m., a male reported that someone was trespassing and cutting down large trees on his property in the 3000 block of Bartlettsville Road.
The male did not know the people but had photos of the unknown people on his property from trail cameras.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Christian James entered the property and found a white F150 pickup parked with a chain affixed to the truck’s rear. That chain was hooked on a freshly cut black walnut treet. The deputy went to the adjoining property to speak to the resident, but no one was home.
On February 14th, Indiana Conservation Officers Claire Mitchell and Ryan Jahn met with the property owner and found five mature walnut trees and one maple tree had been harvested.
Numerous no-trespass signs were posted on the property. All of the trees harvested were more than 85 yards from the property line.
Officers noted that the suspects dragging the logs out from the property caused significant damage to the soil and creek bank, as well as multiple soda cups and other trash left behind.
The property wanted the suspects captured and would file criminal charges.
On the same day, at 6:29 p.m., the officers went to a home in the 4000 block of Bartlettsville Road and spoke to 33-year-old Collin Flynn. The white Ford pickup was parked nearby. Flynn said he owned the truck.
Flynn admitted he had been cutting trees at Amanda Scott’s request, but he had only cut trees on her property.
During further questioning, he admitted to being on property not belonging to Scott between November 2023 and February 2024 and cutting down at least three trees. He said he had cut the trees with the assistance of his brother and friends, Joseph Lewis and Erron Huckleberry. After cutting the trees, he hauled them to Orion Hardwoods Sawmill in Mitchell and sold them for around $800.
Police learned Flynn had no timber buyer’s license required by law.
On February 16, 2024, police visited Orion Hardwoods Sawmill and met with the manager. He said he did buy logs from Flynn and provided police with a receipt for $997.70 from November 7 through February 8, 2024. He was also paid 8,313.76 for logs sold from September 12, 2023, through October 24, 2023.
On February 20, 2024, police spoke to Amanda Scott at her home in Springville. She told police she had permitted Flynn to cut trees on her property, and they agreed on a 60/40 deal, in which Flynn received 60 percent of the sale and she 40 percent.
She said Flynn owed her money. She said she had received three receipts from Flynn and been paid $1,500 from the timber sales. She admitted to seeing the no-trespass signs and knew where the property lines were. She also revealed the property owners verbally warned them to stay off their property.
Scott told police she “had a feeling” Flynn was cutting trees on the neighbor’s property. She said she knew Flynn had cut down several of the neighbor’s trees, and they had spoken about what kinds of trees he was going to cut, and their worth. She agreed to have him cut the neighbor’s trees because Flynn owed her money. She said she was going to inform the police after he cut the trees.
On February 20, 2024, police spoke to Joseph Lewis. He admitted he had helped Flynn hook up the trees and drag them out of the woods. He also admitted to seeing the no-trespass signs and doing the damage at the creek.
On February 24, police spoke to Erron Huckleberry. He admitted he knew Flynn was cutting trees on the neighbor’s property. However, he didn’t help him; he had been on the property. He admitted to removing the SIM card from a trail camera.
Duane McCoy, DNR Forester, completed a timber appraisal on March 1, 2024. Duane located the seven trees cut on the property. He found five black walnuts, one black cherry, and one hard maple recently cut. He estimated the appraisal value of the seven trees at $5,457.05.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and warrants were issued.
Flynn was arrested for theft, criminal mischief, buying and cutting timber without a license, and criminal trespassing and was issued a citation for littering.
Joseph Lewis was arrested on a charge of criminal trespassing.
