File Photo (Image Credit: BC Conservation Officer Service)

By James Peters

Illegal Hunting

Social media influencers charged in 2023 South Cariboo illegal hunting investigation

Mar 7, 2025 | 10:00 AM

SHERIDAN LAKE, B.C. — Two social media influencers are among four people facing dozens of illegal hunting charges after a 2023 incident in the South Cariboo.

In a social media post Friday (March 7), the BC Conservation Officer Service says its investigation began in the fall of 2023 after a report of shots fired near a cabin in Sheridan Lake. The incident led officers to carry out two searches in the Lower Mainland.

Four people are now facing a total of 43 charges, including two social media influencers accused of running a backcountry hunting site.

The CO Service says the charges and violations were made in relation to the killing of two stone sheep, two mountain goats, one elk and four mule deer.

Daniel Gazzola

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The NDP does it to us again

May 15, 2025

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Celebrating National Nursing Week

May 14, 2025

The Tattle of Hastings

THE TATTLE OF HASTINGS: B.C. Lions react to Snoop Dogg reveal

May 14, 2025

26 counts under the Wildlife Act:

• Hunting wildlife out of season
• Unlawful possession of dead wildlife
• Discharging a firearm in a ‘no shooting’ area
• Hunting without consider for the lives, safety and property of others
• Making a false statement

7 counts under the Criminal Code of Canada related to seizures of firearms

Emmanuel Porcellato

8 charges under the Wildlife Act

• Hunting wildlife within six hours of being airborne
• Hunting wildlife out of season
• Failing to comply with conditions of a species license

Cole Rogozinski

5 charges under the Wildlife Act

• Unlawful possession of dead wildlife
• Exceeding bag limit
• Making a false statement

3 charges under the Criminal Code of Canada related to seizures of firearms

Nicole Elie Rogers

4 charges under the Wildlife Act

• Unlawful possession of dead wildlife
• Using another person’s license

“This was a complex case that was investigated for more than a year,” said Conservation Officer Joel Kline in the social media post. “We’d like to thank the public for their prompt reporting to the RAPP line.”

The next court date for the four is set for March 10 at the Kamloops courthouse.