MARTIN COUNTY — A Miami man who was accused of killing a large deer on state land in October could face up to 15 years in prison.

Mario Palacio, 54, was arrested Oct. 10 on felony charges of trespassing on a construction site and trespassing by lethal projectile, deputies said.

An additional third-degree felony charge — trespass-shooting on state land — has been added by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Since the arrest, patrols on the land in Indiantown haven't changed. Sheriff's spokeswoman Laurie Weber said the area normally is patrolled and she's not aware of any additional patrols.

More:Miami man accused of poaching 23-point deer arrested on two felony charges in Martin County

"Sometimes (deputies) do it undercover and they may not let us know that they are patrolling," she said.

The animal killed was a 23-point buck, a male deer with very large antlers. Sheriff's spokeswoman Christine Christofek said the buck might be among the largest in the state.

What happened

On Oct. 10, Palacio was seen by Martin County sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Kryzda shining a bright light to "stun" the buck on state land in the 18000 block of Southwest Citrus Boulevard in Indiantown.

More:Indiantown woman dies, nine survive in Turnpike crash

When Kryzda, who usually patrols the land, told Palacio he was trespassing, Palacio got into his truck and drove off.

As deputies caught up to Palacio by helicopter and patrol vehicles, the helicopter lights spotted the freshly killed buck where Kryzda first saw Palacio.

Snyder said at the time of Palacio 's arrest, Martin County was in deer-hunting season with bows allowed, but not guns.

More:Teens arrested with stolen guns after armed robbery case in Fort Pierce, police say

More:Port St. Lucie teen charged with murder in Coconut Creek after being missing for two months

Palacio hunted the buck illegally by going after it at night, by shooting it on state property and by using a bright light to stun it and shoot it instead of trying to hunt it without an advantage.

Palacio was released Nov. 11 from the Martin County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Defense attorney Robert Watson and assistant state attorney Marcus Johnson declined to comment.