TALLAHASSEE, FL — Ten people are facing criminal charges after a multi-year undercover investigation uncovered an alleged illegal commercial fishing operation responsible for poaching approximately 23,000 pounds of fish, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
The investigation began in May 2022 after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received complaints about reef fish poaching in the Gulf. Investigators said the group routinely exceeded limits for red snapper and gag grouper and avoided reporting requirements by conducting illegal sales at night, from homes and through on-the-water exchanges.
Authorities allege the operation illegally sold more than $150,000 worth of fish, shrimp and turtles. Investigators said five protected sea turtles, including three adults and two hatchlings, were sold to undercover officers.
The 10 people charged are:
- Kayla Ann Boak, 36, Bradenton
- Terry Stephen Carrington Jr., 40, Port St. Joe
- David Eugene Echterling, 60, Eastpoint
- Anthony Emmett Folsom, 22, Carrabelle
- Steven Hawley, 68, Eastpoint
- Curtis Randolph Morse, 45, Gibsonton
- Jordan Neylan, 31, Apalachicola
- Robert Register, 40, Carrabelle
- Joe Frank Tessa III, 44, Largo
- Casey Lee Whitlock II, 20, Crawfordville
Charges include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and other wildlife-related offenses. If convicted as charged, the defendants face maximum prison sentences ranging from 65 to 75 years.
SOURCE: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
