Ten people have been charged following a multi-year investigation into an illegal commercial fishing operation that poached about 23,000 pounds of fish along the Gulf Coast, and illegally sold more than $150,000 worth of fish, shrimp, and sea turtles, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's office said in a news release.
The investigation was conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Three of the defendants — Terry Carrington, Anthony Folsom, and Jordan Neylan — are accused of catching protected sea turtles and selling five of them to undercover officers, the attorney general's office said. The turtles included three adults and two hatchlings.
The 10 defendants face multiple charges, including racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Several also face charges related to the unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles, illegal use of a two-way communication device and cheating, Uthmeier's office said.
Three of the defendants are from the greater Tampa Bay area.
Curtis Randolph Morse, 45, of Gibsonton is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles and cheating.
Joe Frank Tessa III, 44, of Largo is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.
Kayla Ann Boak, 36, of Bradenton is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and cheating.
The other defendants are Carrington, 40, of Port St. Joe; David Eugene Echterling, 60, of Eastpoint; Folsom, 22, of Carrabelle; Steven Hawley, 68, of Eastpoint; Neylan, 31, of Apalachicola; Robert Register, 40, of Carrabelle; and Casey Lee Whitlock II, 20, of Crawfordville.
If convicted as charged, the defendants could face maximum prison sentences ranging from 65 to 75 years, the attorney general's office said.
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