Social Media Posts Lead to 2 Arrests in Monroe County

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by dole777 | Unsplash

If you're breaking the law, it may not be best to post your infractions on social media. According to the February 2, through February 8, 2024, weekly law enforcement report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), social media posts have led to the arrest of 2 subjects in Monroe County, Florida.

The FWC report states that Internet Crimes Investigator, Chris Mattson, secured two warrants related to separate social media posts. The first subject posted a video to his TikTok and Facebook accounts showing him catching a large parrotfish off one of the bridges near Duck Key before putting it in a cooler. The subject was charged with harvesting a parrotfish greater than 12 inches and using prohibited gear, a hook and line, to catch the parrotfish.

The second arrest involved a subject who posted pictures to Instagram of him spearfishing in the Islamorada area. One picture depicted him with a green moray eel that had been speared. He was charged with spearfishing in the Upper Keys, using prohibited gear, and not landing marine life alive.
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As of publication, no further details have been released to the public. If additional information becomes available, Uncovering Florida will update this article.
Article by Rachael Volpe