'Illegal, Inhumane:' Deer Poacher Charged In Morris Township

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Morris Township police have apprehended a man who used a blow dart gun to "illegally and inhumanely" kill one deer and injure another in a woodland area on township property.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, police announced that Jalen O’Neal, 26, of Morristown, had been arrested and charged with violation of unlawful possession of a weapon, creating a dangerous condition, and Morris Township Local Ordinance 265-1 discharge of a weapon in the Township of Morris.

According to authorities, on the morning of Aug. 22, the Morris Township Police Department got a report of a dead deer on Speedwell Avenue near Mill Road, with the caller stating that an orange dart seemed to be poking out of the dead animal.

An investigation revealed that the deer was hit by a projectile fired from a blow-dart-style firearm.

The dead deer was also found near razor-sharp metal darts, officials said.

"These metal darts could have easily harmed another person. Our officers have observed additional deer in the area with darts hanging from their bodies," the Morris Township Police Department said.

The illegal poaching took place between 12:15 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., police said.

O’Neal was charged on Sept. 7 and has since been released from police custody pending a court appearance.

If anyone has any further information regarding this incident, they are asked to contact Detective Kevin Yarzab at 973-326-7433, email: kyarzab@mtpd1422.com, or the Morris Township Police Detective Bureau at 973-326-7480.