FWC busts suspects for illegally harvesting and selling alligators, deer, gopher tortoises, snook

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Three men were arrested Friday for illegally harvesting and selling various fish and wildlife in Levy and Pinellas counties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that fifteen additional suspects were served with notice to appear citations in Levy, Orange, Pinellas and Broward counties.

As part of a long-term investigation the FWC conducted, investigators learned that the suspects were taking deer out of season, alligators without licenses and permits, and protected gopher tortoises. During a closure in response to red tide, they illegally took snook, jeopardizing the fishery’s recovery.

“Organized criminal operations like this pose serious environmental and economic consequences,” said Col. Curtis Brown, head of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “They damage our precious natural resources and create black markets that undermine the legal process. We do our best to put a stop to these crimes, supporting law-abiding business owners, landowners and those who enjoy recreating in Florida.”

The public can also help by reporting suspected violations to the FWC. Call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text or email to Tip@MyFWC.com .

The suspects and their charges are as follows:

James Alexander Smith

DOB 06/03/1956

CHARGE 1: Unlawful sale of deer

F.S. 379.404(5) - 3rd Degree Felony

CHARGE 2: Taking/Possession of deer during the closed season

F.S. 379.404(3) – 1st Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 3: Unlawful sale of deer

F.S. 379.401(2)(a) / F.A. C. 68A-12.004(1) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 4: Illegal take/possession of American alligator

F.S. 379.409(1) – 3rd Degree Felony

CHARGE 5: Unlawful sale of American alligator

F.S. 379.401(2)(a) / F.A. C. 68A-25.002(1) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 6: Unlawful sale of deer

F.S. 379.404(5) – 3rd Degree Felony

CHARGE 7: Taking/Possession of deer during the closed season

FS 379.404(3) – 1st Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 8: Unlawful sale of deer

F.S. 379.404(5) – 3rd Degree Felony

Sherod Christopher Strawder

DOB 05/05/1968

CHARGE 1: Possession of snook three fish or more in excess of the daily bag limit

F.S. 379.407(4)(a)- 1st Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: Sale of saltwater product without a saltwater products license

F.S. 379.361(2)(a) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 3: Sale of snook

F.A.C. 68B-21.007(1) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 4: Possession of over the bag limit of snook

F.A.C. 68A-21.004(1)(b) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 5: Possession of snook during closed season

F.A.C. 68B-21.005(2)(b) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 6: Harvest or possession of snook for commercial purposes

68B-21.004(2) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 7: Possession of oversize/undersize snook Gulf Region

68B-21.003(b) – 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

Aaronnette Jermeshal Shytresa Lee

DOB 5/28/1991

CHARGE 1: Possession of a short-barreled shotgun

FS 790.221(1) – 2nd Degree Felony

The following individuals were issued Notice to Appear citations on Aug. 9, 2019:

Illie McIntosh Jr.

DOB 04/04/1955

CHARGE 1: Unlawful purchase of saltwater product by dealer or restaurant from other than licensed dealer

F.S. 379.362(8)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: No saltwater retail license

F.S. 379.361(2)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 3: Unlawful purchase of freshwater game fish

68A-23.009(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 4: Unlawful purchase of freshwater game fish

68A-23.009(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

Darryl Sherod James

DOB 10/26/1961

CHARGE 1: Unlawful purchase of alligator

68A-25.002(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: Unlawful purchase of alligator

68A-25.002(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

Emmitt Laurent Brown

DOB 01/16/1980

CHARGE 1: Unlawful purchase of freshwater game fish

68A-23.009(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: Unlawful purchase of alligator

68A-25.002(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

Tej Prakash Bhojnauth

DOB 03/21/1965

CHARGE 1: Possession of deer out of season

F.S. 379.404(1)- 1st Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: Possession of deer out of season

F.S. 379.404(1)- 1st Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 3: Unlawful purchase of snook

68B-21.007(1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

Kumar Persaud Naurang

DOB 01/03/1960

CHARGE 1: Illegal purchase of deer

F.S. 379.401(2)(a) & 68A-12.004 (1)- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor

CHARGE 2: Possession of deer out of season

F.S. 379.404(1)- 1st Degree Misdemeanor

Somal Persaud Haimdas

DOB 09/10/1965

CHARGE 1: Possession of deer out of season

F.S. 379.404(1)- 1st Degree Misdemeanor

Larry Kenson Charlery

DOB 01/11/1989