WINTER HAVEN, FL – April 30, 2026 — A traffic stop conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol at approximately 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of SR-540 (Winter Lake Road) and Thornhill Road resulted in the arrest of a driver and the discovery of live wildlife and fish inside a vehicle.
According to FHP, troopers observed a Ford F-150 towing a utility trailer traveling westbound without a tag light illuminating the license plate. The plate was attached to the expanded metal portion of the trailer’s fold-down gate. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was identified as Rendon Casildo-Acdiel (DOB: 08/18/1993) using a Georgia identification card.
A records check revealed the driver had a suspended Georgia license and no valid Florida driver’s license. Casildo-Acdiel told troopers he was aware of the suspension due to failing to complete court requirements related to a ticket in Georgia. Additional checks showed warrants from three separate agencies; however, none were extraditable.
Due to inconsistencies in the driver’s travel explanation, troopers requested a K-9 unit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The K-9 alerted to the vehicle and trailer. A subsequent search revealed five coolers containing iced tilapia and 13 live iguanas in the truck bed, with their feet zip-tied.
Investigators from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Marine/Agricultural Unit responded, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission assuming the lead on the wildlife investigation.
Casildo-Acdiel was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail on a charge of driving while license suspended. The iguanas were turned over to a local rescue shelter.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
