PIONEER, TN (WLAF) – Two men from Middlesboro are free on bond this morning after being arrested over the weekend on multiple Ginseng charges.

An agent with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency arrested Tommy Lee Upton and Thomas Riley Ward on Saturday at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Upton, 45, was charged with violation of Ginseng harvest, removing plants from the WMA, possession of wildlife and closed for the season. Charges for the 41 year old Ward are violation of Ginseng harvest, removing plants from the WMA and no WMA permit. Both men are scheduled to appear in court on August 23. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/19/2022-6AM)

2 Replies to “Two Kentucky men arrested on Ginseng harvest violations”

  1. My brother did eighteen months federal time for the digging in the national park in Virginia they only found three or four roots that had the markings on them so good luck you guys

  2. I’m glad they got busted! Most people don’t pay any attention to the fact there is a SEASON for digging ginseng! And they dig every root, even the tiny seedlings! It can’t repopulate itself if they take every last scrap! Ginseng is becoming extinct because of greedy people!

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