Green Lake County Deer “Thrill Kills” Investigated

An 18-year-old Green Lake man who fled from authorities during an investigation into whitetail deer “Thrill killing” has been charged in Green Lake County Court. Cody Johnston was charged in Green Lake County Court Monday with fleeing an officer, obstructing an officer, and criminal damage to property. Last Saturday a conservation warden received complaints of gun shots northwest of Green Lake. He and Sheriff’s deputies found seven dead whitetail deer within a three-mile area in the Towns of Brooklyn and St. Marie.  That night a sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a suspect vehicle Johnston was driving. The pursuit reached speeds up to 90 miles per hour before Johnston crashed in a marsh. According to the criminal complaint he told Investigators two other men were with him, but fled from the scene. Anyone who has information about the investigation should contact DNR warden Nate Ackerman at 920-369-6028 or the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 920-294-4000.