CMU alumni and Colorado Wildlife Officer Demetria Wright recently made state-wide news by catching a group of poachers. Wright concluded an investigation in Fort Carson, after a hunter reported seeing an illegally poached mule deer and a doe to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office on Nov. 24, 2024. The hunter found both animals 100 yards apart from each other.
Poaching has a range of meanings, including trespassing on protected lands, hunting out of season, exceeding tag limits or failing to harvest an animal’s meat. Wright noticed that both animals had been partially processed at the scene of the crime.
The poachers took antlers, known as a “trophy” piece, from the scene, along with easily accessible cuts of meat.
“The buck had minimal meat taken and the antlers sawed off. Antlers sawed off and almost all of the edible meat left behind is a clear indicator of poaching,” Wright said.
The poachers only took the most valued parts of the animals and left the rest to decay. Their actions fall under “willful destruction of wildlife,” as defined by C.R.S. 33-6-117.
Wright took account of the crime-scene upon arrival, and preserved key identifying information.
Wright said that the first call came in when a hunter found a dead buck with a bullet wound.
Noting the bullet wounds in the animals, the presence of boot impressions left nearby and an invaluable photo of a suspicious vehicle, Wright began to hunt down the poachers.
Wright traced the boot prints back to the vehicle owned by 23-year-old Army Sgt. Jacob Curtis Keyser. The CPW obtained a warrant for Keyser’s car and phone, which showed clear evidence of photographs, videos and metadata implicating Keyser, 35-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Juan Salcedo and a third unnamed accomplice.
“The messages and videos documented each illegal harvest of the six poached deer. Additionally messages showed deliberate disregard for the law stating things such as ‘It’s only illegal if you get caught,” Wright said. “The messages further bragged and attempted to conceal the ongoing illegal poaching.”
Keyser admitted to illegally harvesting six deer, as well as trespassing. He faces $19,000 in fines, 30 different wildlife charges and over 180 suspension points to his license. Salcedo faces 15 charges, a $8,817 fine and 65 suspension points.
Wright attributed the success of this case to collaboration among different offices.
“Without the help of the Fort Carson Conservation Officers this case would have gone nowhere. Additionally the mentorship from senior officers was incredible. These cases take a lot of time and persistence. Senior Officers offering expertise was imperative,” Wright said.
Keyser and Salcedo are currently enlisted in the Army. Their poaching could potentially have triggered “FLAG” within the administration. FLAG is an administrative status that prevents progression, awards, medals, schools, promotions and reenlistment within the military.
According to CPW, if a hunter gets 20 suspension points over a five year period, the Wildlife commission calls a hearing to determine whether the hunter should keep their license. The 180 points Keyser received is nine times that threshold.
“Colorado operates on a point system for hunting and fishing privileges. Each person starts with zero points. If you acquire 20 or more points within a five year span your hunting and fishing privileges may be suspended,” Wright said. “Suspensions can range from 0 years to lifetime bans from exercising the provisions of a license. Long story short, 180 suspension points is a lot.”
Both poachers face a possible lifetime ban in all 50-states via the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
“I have great respect for our legal and ethical hunters and I see this as a win for all of them. It feels great to know that someone abusing the system and breaking the law was held accountable,” Wright said.
