Georgia inmate convicted of swindling hunters from behind bars

A 39-year-old Georgia man has been sentenced to eight years in a Florida prison after defrauding hunters across 15 Florida counties while incarcerated.

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Rodney E. Smith pleaded guilty to four felony charges after stealing thousands of dollars through fake hunting lease offers.

A hunting lease is an agreement allowing a hunter to access private land under agreed-upon terms. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators found that Smith negotiated lease terms and collected deposits from multiple unsuspecting victims between July 1, 2025 and April 30 while serving time in a Georgia prison.

FWC investigators filed felony charges against Smith on May 7. Authorities extradited him from the Georgia prison to Gilchrist County on Aug. 16 on an arrest warrant.

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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. He also pleaded guilty to one first-degree felony for fraudulently offering property for sale or lease prior to his Oct. 28 sentencing.

Major James Barrow works with the FWC Statewide Investigations and Intelligence Section. “The FWC recognizes the important role hunting leases play in Florida’s outdoor economy,” Barrow said. “We will continue to work with our partners to protect landowners’ ability to manage their property and benefit from these opportunities.”

The agency also credited the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution for assisting throughout the investigation and prosecution.

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