CARLYLE, IL – A rural Carlyle teen was taken into custody Wednesday following an investigation into multiple deer found shot along roadways in Clinton County, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
The department reported that on October 29, 2025, deputies from Clinton County, Marion County, and Illinois Conservation Police executed search warrants at addresses in both counties. The warrants were connected to the October 24 incident in the Boulder area, where several deer were discovered killed from the roadway.
Authorities said Ashden McArthur, 18, was taken into custody and is suspected of killing at least 13 deer using a .22-caliber rifle and spotlight from a stopped vehicle. Evidence was recovered from both search warrant locations, according to Acting Chief Deputy Dennis R. Perez.
McArthur faces multiple conservation violations and additional criminal charges as the investigation continues. Officials thanked the public for assisting with information leading to the arrest.
“All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the statement read.
