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Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
#910415
09/17/09 03:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
LeaseHunter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9 |
Just wanted to let the hunting public know that we have recieved word of a fellow named Michael Needham of Rockin N Hunting in Junction is a scam artist. He has listed hunting opportunities on various websites and has scamed deposit money from hunters. I am told that he is in the Kimble County jail. If anyone has been had by this guy, get in touch with them.
Good luck and pass this along.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: LeaseHunter]
#910485
09/17/09 03:53 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24,031
TreeBass
Old Weller
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Old Weller
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24,031 |
so basically your hearing gossip? What proof do you have? I'll give this a day and its out of here.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: TreeBass]
#910534
09/17/09 04:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
LeaseHunter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9 |
It is not "gossip", I have received three separate emails from our members confirming they have been scammed or mislead. I just wanted to pass it along that people should beware. I hope that you can appreciate the attempt to give everyone a heads up. If someone has had a good experience and can validate this guy, then great. Is that OK?
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: LeaseHunter]
#911077
09/17/09 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24,031
TreeBass
Old Weller
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Old Weller
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24,031 |
It is not "gossip", I have received three separate emails from our members confirming they have been scammed or mislead. I just wanted to pass it along that people should beware. I hope that you can appreciate the attempt to give everyone a heads up. If someone has had a good experience and can validate this guy, then great. Is that OK? We do without a doubt try to ensure that our members are protected to a point. But we have to be sure that its not just a bunch of folks trying to ruin a man's business or threaten his way of life because of a falling out, or someone holding a grudge. Its easy enough to damage someones reputation or business on the internet, enough that lawyers are brought in to settle the issues.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: TreeBass]
#914100
09/18/09 07:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 21
binoguy
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 21 |
both good points. but if his name is confirmed by the jail for what he's been doing, it's hard to imagine it's a mix up brian aaronson
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: binoguy]
#914708
09/19/09 02:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155
kenmorrow
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155 |
this sort of thing should NOT be posted on the internet unless confirmed by legal authorities! leasehunter, you should know better than this. i understand your motive and sympathize: i'm all for consumer protection. but you've gotta get more than 3 rumors that match up before you post something that could ruin another business if untrue. that's just recklessly irresponsible, ie. unprofessional.
let's get this out of here until someone gets confirmation from a prosecutor or law enforcement, please.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: kenmorrow]
#914863
09/19/09 04:57 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,950
mulie_mike
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,950 |
http://www.junctioneagle.com/2009/09-09-09%20pages%209-16.pdfLook under the Sherifs Report A Michael Needham was arrested but not for the charges stated above. You are probably right that he is in jail but not for stealing peoples deposits. I did try going to his website through several links and none of them worked though.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: mulie_mike]
#914985
09/19/09 12:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,734
Txduckman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,734 |
Those warrants he was arrested on could have been for the money that was stolen.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: Txduckman]
#914993
09/19/09 12:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155
kenmorrow
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155 |
"Could have been" is not "were."
"Innocent until proven guilty" makes those who post such things on the internet or reports them in the press without due diligence verification liable for any damages sustained if they prove untrue under defamation laws (slander and libel...in the case of written information, it is libel). So his business losses become leasehunter's and THF's business losses if he was not arrested for stealing hunters' money and sues for defamation due to negligence.
However, the dude WAS arrested for felon in possession of a firearm. We see that in the sheriff's report dated 9/4. That means he has a prior conviction for a serious crime and is prohibited from owning and even possessing firearms. Kind of makes anything but archery hunting difficult, don't you think? And I'd personally be disinclined to send a deposit for future services to any convicted felon. But that's just me.
Last edited by kenmorrow; 09/19/09 12:38 PM.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: kenmorrow]
#915008
09/19/09 01:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 935
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 935 |
The inability to report publically problems with outfitter or leasors is a problem. In the interest of fairness they should also be allowed to state problems with their hunter/clients. A hunting newsletter called Hunting Reports has a column on what they call the good the bad and the ugly and reports all sides of the issue. In addition they keep a sizeable number of written hunting reports. We need something like that locally or statewise. I say let everyone see the dirty laundry.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: Sabrinavonbach]
#915484
09/19/09 09:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Thirty Pointer
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1 |
I mailed Michael Needham a deposit also and was trying to book 2 other parties a later. I never could reach him or get call back. That is when I started getting a bad feeling. Then my fears were confirmed when I read this forum. On Friday Sept. 18th I called the Kimble sheriff department and he is in jail, and the warrants are for several hot checks in Tyler,Tx. I also got in contact with his wife and they are in the middle of a divorce,and she claims she was conned also. He stole all her retirement money and lied about of things. I also talked to Mr.Whitaker an investigator for the sherrifs dept. Michael had $13,oooo on him when arrested. I believe this guy is a liar and scam artist. I don't believe this guy had any intent on coming thru with the hunts. The investigator also told me he had written hot checks to some of the ranches we were supposed to hunt there in junctiion. I'm sending a report to the the investigator like he asked me to. Please do the same if you lost money with this guy. The investigators email is jeffwhitaker@yahoo.com
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: Thirty Pointer]
#915490
09/19/09 09:21 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,483
aussie1
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,483 |
Sorry you lost your money. Theives are the lowest form of life. Hope you can get some sort of restitution from him.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: aussie1]
#915501
09/19/09 09:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
dolphingirl
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3 |
Wow i am glad that I seen this today because come Monday I was going to send in a deposit for a hunt with this guy! Ya know a friend told me that it sounds way to good to be true and I am glad that I did send my money yet! He sent me an email with his bank info and everything and I sent him one back asking for a few more specific questions and still haven't gotten an answer from him and now I see why! Thank you guys so much for this info! What a sorry person!
Kelly
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: dolphingirl]
#915878
09/20/09 04:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,734
Txduckman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,734 |
Did y'all look at these properties first?
Unfortunately some will stay up until forced down when you look for leases. I figured this is what was going on when I read the charges and googled his outfitting company. Too good to be true as well if land was selling/leasing for that much/little.
And if you want to get into semantics with names, anyone can be a serial killer in a King book. Give me a break...
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: Thirty Pointer]
#916034
09/20/09 12:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155
kenmorrow
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 155 |
I mailed Michael Needham a deposit also and was trying to book 2 other parties a later. I never could reach him or get call back. That is when I started getting a bad feeling. Then my fears were confirmed when I read this forum. On Friday Sept. 18th I called the Kimble sheriff department and he is in jail, and the warrants are for several hot checks in Tyler,Tx. I also got in contact with his wife and they are in the middle of a divorce,and she claims she was conned also. He stole all her retirement money and lied about of things. I also talked to Mr.Whitaker an investigator for the sherrifs dept. Michael had $13,oooo on him when arrested. I believe this guy is a liar and scam artist. I don't believe this guy had any intent on coming thru with the hunts. The investigator also told me he had written hot checks to some of the ranches we were supposed to hunt there in junctiion. I'm sending a report to the the investigator like he asked me to. Please do the same if you lost money with this guy. The investigators email is jeffwhitaker@yahoo.com This is a perfect example of a post that won't get anyone in trouble under any circumstances. He states only facts based on his own experience and/or confirmed by officials. Other information he states with a caveat "It is my opinion..." You can't be "punished" for your opinion, but you must state it as an opinion, not a fact. Sabrinovich, I hope this addresses your issue as well. There is a right/wrong way to do things. Airing dirty laundry isn't the right way according to our legal system and people can be held responsible. Owners of websites are considered "media" by the law. As such, they are held to a professional standard of conduct that is a higher standard of reasonableness than for a lay person. It is based on what newspapers, network and cable tv reporters, etc. would likely do in similar situations, and expert witnesses get called to testify. As my dad always advised, "When it comes to courts and fights with the IRS, the little guy rarely if ever truly wins. So it is far wiser to err on the side of caution and do everything you can to stay away from both." This dude appears to be a real tool. And I'm glad he got exposed. But the initial report here was very poorly executed. I'm commenting on this as a credentialed journalist and trying to help keep folks with good intentions out of trouble.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: LeaseHunter]
#916084
09/20/09 01:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
rmartinphd
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5 |
Well, he has cashed a $2500 check from me and I am not able to contact him on the phone number he gave me. I get a message stating that the person I am trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time. It's my own fault for trusting someone I really don't know with that much money. I'm 61 and should know better by now.
Obviously, I don't know where he is or why I cannot contact him, but I would advise caution in dealing with him--if you can find him. I cannot.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: rmartinphd]
#916087
09/20/09 01:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
rmartinphd
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5 |
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: rmartinphd]
#916088
09/20/09 01:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
rmartinphd
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5 |
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: LeaseHunter]
#916144
09/20/09 03:05 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
rmartinphd
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5 |
A day has come and gone since your post. Apparently, something is amiss.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: rmartinphd]
#916150
09/20/09 03:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100
dgilbert
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 19,100 |
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: dgilbert]
#916884
09/21/09 01:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,111
Red Cloud
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,111 |
Good work on this one. I am a retired Lawman and scam artist in any venue are deserving of the maximum penalty prescribed by law.
A scam perpetrated on us, the sportsman, makes me furious. We need to continue to watch out for each other. We cannot allow this crap, We have enough to deal with already when you consider groups like PETA.
Moderators if I over stepped a sensitive boundary, I apologize to the Forum members.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: dolphingirl]
#917868
09/21/09 03:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
TXPalerider
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23 |
Wow i am glad that I seen this today because come Monday I was going to send in a deposit for a hunt with this guy! Ya know a friend told me that it sounds way to good to be true and I am glad that I did send my money yet! He sent me an email with his bank info and everything and I sent him one back asking for a few more specific questions and still haven't gotten an answer from him and now I see why! Thank you guys so much for this info! What a sorry person!
Kelly Glad it worked out Kelly. It sounded to good to be true, and when I called him something just seemed hinky. At least, now you still have the cash to fill your freezer with axis meat. ![laugh laugh](/forum/images/graemlins/default/laugh.gif)
Behold, a pale horse
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: TXPalerider]
#918337
09/21/09 07:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
dg31
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2 |
I along with 8 of my friends sent him $1,100 each! We too cannot reach him. Is detective Jeff Whitaker the appropriate person to contact to file charges? Also, has anyone on this board ever met and/or hunted with him?
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: dg31]
#918367
09/21/09 07:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
dg31
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2 |
I just spoke with a very nice lady named Whintney at the Kimble county sheriffs office. She did confirm my concerns and varified Detective Jeff Whitaker is the one to talk to. He is going to call me back. If you have sent money to micheal Needham contact Jeff.
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Re: Outfitter Scam - Rockin N Hunting / Michael Needham
[Re: dg31]
#921220
09/22/09 10:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
ldm_tex
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4 |
I am getting a failure with jeffwhitaker@yahoo.com Does someone have a correct e-mail or phone number to call. Just curious, has a crime or fraud been commited before the date of the hunt? My hunt was not set to happen until Thanksgiving weekend. Any help or suggestions welcome, since I have never had this problem before.
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