Florida undercover probe nabs 10 accused in $150K fish, sea turtle poaching scheme
Investigators say the ring illegally harvested about 23,000 pounds of fish, shrimp and sea turtles and made more than $150,000 in sales.
- On Monday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that authorities charged 10 people following a four-year undercover investigation into an illegal commercial fishing operation that allegedly poached approximately 23,000 pounds of fish and sold protected sea turtles.
- The investigation began in May 2022 after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers received complaints about reef fish poaching. Undercover officers were approached by a suspect offering to sell illegally harvested catch.
- Illegal sales of seafood totaled more than $150,000, including shrimp and sea turtles, according to investigators. Suspects bypassed reporting rules by selling catch at night along docks, out of private homes, or through water-based handoffs.
- The 10 defendants face felony charges of racketeering and conspiracy, with potential prison sentences ranging from 65 to 75 years. The case will be tried in Pinellas County, officials said during the Carrabelle news conference.
- Attorney General Uthmeier plans to ask the Legislature for increased poaching penalties, noting that current laws often treat violations as misdemeanors. Officials urged anyone witnessing wildlife violations to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
20 Articles
20 Articles
State charges 10 for poaching fish, shrimp, turtles
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, right, speaks alongside federal and state law enforcement officials during a press conference at the FDLE Miami Regional Operations Center on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Miami. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Florida Officials Charge 10 in Massive Multi-County Poaching Conspiracy Involving Protected Sea Turtles and Reef Fish
Florida officials have charged 10 suspects in a major poaching ring accused of illegally harvesting $150,000 worth of reef fish and protected sea turtles.
Attorney General James Uthmeier Charges 10 Defendants in Sea Turtle Poaching and Illegal Fishing Operation
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and state Attorney General James Uthmeier released the following statement:Attorney General James Uthmeier joined thejoined the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local law enforcement to announce charges against 10 people accused of running an illegal commercial fishing operation. After a multi-year undercover investigation by FWC and […]
Uthmeier announces arrests in alleged massive sea life poaching ring
State officials announced criminal charges Monday against 10 individuals in an alleged poaching conspiracy involving overfishing of reef fish including grouper, redfish, and snapper, plus protected sea turtles, including hatchlings. The arrests followed an investigation that began in 2022, when a party to the alleged scheme approached an undercover officer, Attorney General James Uthmeier said […]
10 charged in multiyear undercover probe of illegal commercial fishing operation, sea turtle poaching in Florida
Ten people face racketeering and other charges after a multiyear undercover investigation into an illegal commercial fishing operation accused of poaching about 23,000 pounds of fish and selling protected sea turtles.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
