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Florida Business Owners Charged With Felonies After Scattering 1,500 Mothballs to Deter Shorebirds
Just the facts
Authorities charged Christopher Monroe, owner of Chris's Beachside Bar, and Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel, following the discovery of approximately 1,500 pesticide-laden mothballs scattered on St. Pete Beach. Search warrants and subpoenaed mobile phone records revealed text messages in which the suspects discussed placing mothballs to prevent endangered black skimmers from establishing a nesting colony near their commercial properties. Investigators stated that the business owners acted out of concern that wildlife nesting enclosures would restrict tourist movement and lead to estimated revenue losses between $25,000 and $50,000. Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Audubon Society volunteers removed the mothballs from the sand to protect the estimated 6,800 black skimmers inhabiting Florida.
Why this is news
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers arrested two St. Pete Beach business owners after an investigation into pesticide contamination on local public beaches. Law enforcement officials charged both men with felony illegal dumping and misdemeanor wildlife harassment.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.