Two young men, both 19 years old, have been taken into custody for allegedly hunting illegally on Oprah Winfrey’s sprawling ranch in Hawaii, officials have reported.

The event took place just before midnight on June 21 in the picturesque Kula area of Upcountry Maui. Authorities from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in Hawaii noted that officers from their Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) observed the men using a spotlight, which raised suspicions.

“The incident occurred near the intersection of Thompson Road and Kamaʻole Road in Kula, Upcountry Maui,” officials said. “Thompson Road is a public road that cuts through the private property of Oprah Winfrey’s Ranch.”

Luke Allen and Ty Munoz, both residing in Upcountry Maui, were the young men arrested. Following their detainment, they were transported to the Maui Police station in Wailuku for booking, and more charges are expected as the police investigation unfolds.

Authorities revealed vital details about the arrest. “DOCARE officers discovered a loaded shotgun and a loaded rifle in the vehicle the pair were using,” they said. “Further probing showed Allen and Munoz did not have valid hunting licenses, had ammunition within the truck, and were allegedly hunting on private property at night without permission. Officers also found the rifle Allen possessed was unregistered.”

The men face several charges, including hunting on private grounds at night without permission, possession of unregistered firearms, and lack of a valid hunting license. Currently, no trial date has been set, and investigations into the matter continue.

This serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to activities like hunting that involve the use of firearms. The community remains on alert and cooperative with the authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring. Stay tuned for more updates as the case progresses.