Man accused of scamming 12 hunters out of thousands of dollars

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - The Pasco County Sheriff's Office arrested a 34-year-old man accused of scamming at least twelve hunters out of access to a hunting club.

Pete Kemmsies is charged with grand theft and scheme to defraud. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released from the Pasco County Jail.

Leading up the the 2014 hunting season, Kemmsies advertised on Craigslist about a $1,500 entry fee for club access to a hunting lease in North Florida.

So far, detectives have determined twelve hunters paid Kemmsies the fee for membership, but when they showed up to hunt, they weren't allowed on the property.

"There was a big sign there that said they weren't allowed," Detective Wayne Mulder said. "When they reached out to the company that actually owns and manages the land, they said there was no money paid to them and none of the hunters couldn't hunt on that property."

Mulder said Kemmsies bank records revealed he had bounced checks, and money orders sent to the land owner were "lost in the mail."

The sheriff's office is looking for more victims to come forward.