Florida Man Gets Eight Years in Hunting Lease Scam

Rodney E. Smith pleaded guilty to four felonies after selling fraudulent hunting leases to hunters across 15 Florida counties.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hunting

Florida Man Gets Eight Years in Hunting Lease Scam

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Rodney E. Smith, 39, pleaded guilty to three third-degree felonies and one first-degree felony tied to a scheme that sold fraudulent hunting leases to hunters in 15 Florida counties. A Florida court sentenced him to eight years in a Florida prison.

Why it matters

The scheme collected deposits from hunters and defrauded victims of thousands of dollars, highlighting the risk of paying for hunting access without verifying the seller. The case shows how fraudulent leases can be sold from outside the state while the seller is incarcerated.

Smith pleaded guilty to three third-degree felonies (scheme to defraud less than $20,000, illegal use of a two-way communication device, and cheating) and one first-degree felony for fraudulently offering property for sale or lease. The total defrauded amount is described only as thousands of dollars, and the number of victims was not disclosed.

The players

Rodney E. Smith

Rodney E. Smith is a 39-year-old man who pleaded guilty to four felony charges tied to a hunting lease fraud scheme across Florida.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

The FWC is Florida's state agency responsible for managing fish and wildlife resources and enforcing hunting and fishing laws, and its investigators filed the felony charges against Smith.

The details

Smith negotiated hunting lease agreements and collected deposits from hunters while incarcerated in a Georgia prison, with the scheme running from July 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. FWC investigators filed felony charges on May 7, and Smith was extradited from Georgia to Gilchrist County on Aug. 16.

July 1, 2025: The fraud scheme period begins.
April 30, 2026: The fraud scheme period ends.
May 7, 2026: FWC investigators file felony charges against Smith.
Aug. 16, 2026: Smith is extradited from Georgia to Gilchrist County.
Oct. 28, 2026: Smith is sentenced to eight years in a Florida prison.

Roadmap

Hunting lease fraud falls under the enforcement authority of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which pursues violations affecting hunter access and deposits. Cases like this show how state wildlife agencies are working to police private land leasing arrangements that hunters rely on.

Hunters booking private leases in Florida should verify the seller and the property before paying deposits. Checking that a lease is backed by a legitimate landowner can help avoid losing money to schemes like this one.

The takeaway

Before paying a deposit for a hunting lease, confirm the seller owns or legally controls the land and ask for written documentation. Being cautious with upfront payments can protect hunters from fraud.