By Shannon Lukens. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife have caught five poachers who were active-duty soldiers, responsible for poaching five mule deer on Fort Carson and one on state land. Fort Carson is south of Colorado Springs, in El Paso County.
They’re facing heavy fines and wildlife charges, and possibly a lifetime ban on hunting and fishing across all 50 states.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has more in a press release on Jan. 20, 2026.
Soldiers convicted of poaching on Fort Carson and state lands
Jan 20, 2026
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife concluded a poaching investigation Jan 5 against active duty soldiers responsible for poaching five mule deer on Fort Carson and one on state land.
The investigation began in November 2024 after a hunter contacted Fort Carson Conservation Law Enforcement Officers to report a mule deer buck that appeared to have been poached. The CLEOs called in CPW the organization with jurisdiction for all Colorado wildlife.
The responding CPW investigating officer found a dead buck partially processed and abandoned with select cuts of meat removed and the antlers cut off. A second dead deer, a doe, was located approximately 100 hundred yards away, also partially processed and abandoned. Evidence at both locations indicated illegal poaching.
In fresh snow, the investigating CPW officer processed both crime scenes and followed physical evidence, identifying a vehicle associated with the case. Further investigation uncovered social media images that identified now-convicted Army Sergeant Jacob Curtis Keyser, and an accomplice, Army Staff Sergeant Juan Salcedo.
Search warrants for Keyser, his vehicle, and cell phone identified evidence of poaching and proof of multiple instances of trespassing military and state lands. Investigators later confirmed involvement of a third soldier. This second accomplice was fined for disposing of illegally taken venison immediately prior to Keyser’s initial interview with the CPW investigating officer.
Keyser faced 30 wildlife charges, was fined $19,005, issued 180 suspension points and forfeiture of his hunting rifle which will be destroyed by CPW now that the case has concluded.
Co-conspirator, Juan Salcedo, faced 15 charges, was fined $8,817 and issued 65 suspension points. The third soldier who disposed of the meat received a $900 fine. The charges against all three soldiers are misdemeanors.
In the months ahead, a CPW suspension hearing will determine duration of hunting and fishing suspension, if any, with possibility for a lifetime ban with reciprocity across all 50 states because of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
“This case would not have moved forward without the help of the Fort Carson Conservation Law Enforcement Officers, Mike Allen, Paul Everett, 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Christian Wiesenberg and James Malis, and the timely reporting from hunters who discovered the crime scene,” said Demetria Wright, District Wildlife Manager and investigating officer. ”Poaching is a serious, costly crime which harms legitimate sportspersons, wildlife viewers, small business owners and taxpayers.”
Learn more about this case: Following the Tracks: Wildlife Officer closes major poaching case
Information about poaching may be provided anonymously through Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648 or by email to game.thief@state.co.us