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Division of Law Enforcement Public Information Coordinator: Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
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News and Updates
Boating Incident Statement
See the video for FWC’s statement about the boating incident that occurred in the St. Johns River Friday, March 21, at about 8 p.m.
On March 3, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement became the first agency in the U.S. to receive accreditation from the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
Assessors conducted their formal review Jan. 14-15, 2025, which included opportunities to conduct interviews and observations at a static display featuring FWC law enforcement officers and agency issued equipment. NAWLEA develops and establishes standards for conservation law enforcement professionalism and effectiveness. By meeting NAWLEA’s approximately 70 rigorous standards and earning accreditation, the FWC Division of Law Enforcement will enhance its commitment to the highest standards of service in achieving its mission to conserve the state’s fish and wildlife resources and protect the people of Florida.
"This milestone is a great honor that reflects the professional excellence of our accreditation team and the entire FWC Division of Law Enforcement," said Col. Brian Smith, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. "Meeting the standards and goals set by NAWLEA enhances our wildlife conservation efforts and strengthens the profession as a whole."
Examples of the 70 NAWLEA standards and goals that FWC has met include:
- Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of natural resource law enforcement agencies in the delivery of services.
- Promoting cooperation and coordination among all components in the criminal justice system and the communities served.
- Ensuring appropriate training for natural resource law enforcement personnel.
- Promoting public confidence in natural resource law enforcement.
- Elevating the professionalism of law enforcement agencies involved in the NAWLEA process.
The FWC is the first U.S. agency to receive accreditation from the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Program
Left to Right: Colonel Bobby Cales (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources); Colonel Chisolm Frampton (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources); Colonel Brian G. Smith (FWC-Florida); Colonel John Cobb (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources); Accreditation Manager Elizabeth Kamerick (FWC-Florida); Captain Dana Russell (FWC-Florida) and Lt. Richard Doricchi (FWC-Florida).
The North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation program plays a vital role in advancing the natural resources law enforcement profession. By establishing and maintaining rigorous standards, NAWLEA ensures that agencies across North America adhere to best practices, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. For more information about NAWLEA, visit NAWLEA.org/Projects.
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Contact: Communications
Phone: 850-245-0150
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced prison sentences for four criminals connected to a string of state park burglaries. Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Chandler Parrish Ellison, Alyssa Michelle Brewer, Aaron Tyler Higgins, and Kayly Dawn Burns with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, armed burglary, and other offenses related to burglarizing ranger stations in state parks from Central Florida and into South Georgia. Each defendant plead guilty.
“Thanks to the cooperative work of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and our Statewide Prosecutors, four individuals who burglarized state parks will serve a collective 38 years behind bars,” said James Uthmeier. “Florida parks showcase and preserve the natural beauty of this state, and I thank Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Robert Miller and FWC for pursuing justice and protecting our parks.”
“The collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies have been instrumental in bringing these individuals to justice and mitigating further threats to public property and visitor safety within state parks,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The FWC and the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution remain committed to upholding the integrity of Florida’s natural resources and ensuring the safety and security of park visitors and personnel.”
The investigation began in the fall of 2022 after ranger stations at numerous state parks in North Florida were burglarized for money, equipment, and merchandise. In addition to the burglaries, many state parks suffered vandalism and theft of money from the honor boxes near the entrances to various parks where visitors deposited their daily fees.
On Sept. 27, 2024, Chandler Ellison pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and armed burglary. Under the terms of the plea, Ellison will serve 12 years in prison. On Dec. 20, 2024, Alyssa Brewer pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison. On Feb. 13, 2025, Kayly Burns pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to seven years in prison. On March 13, 2025, Aaron Higgins pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 11 years.
The public can report state park violations to the FWC by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, texting 847411 with the keyword FWC and information about the violation, calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC, or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
On March 8, during a joint patrol as part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, near Whale Harbor Bridge in Monroe County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Highway Patrol observed two divers in the water with spearguns and without a visible dive flag.
As officers approached, they spotted a large tarpon struggling in the water nearby. One diver complied with the officers' commands to stop for a resource inspection, while the other ignored them and attempted to swim away. When officers tried to apprehend the fleeing diver, the initially cooperative diver attempted to escape on foot. FWC officers pursued the diver in the water, while FHP officers pursued the diver on land.
FWC officers successfully apprehended the diver in the water, identified as Yosbel Salazar Hernandes (DOB 6/30/84). Unable to locate any records for Hernandes, officers contacted Customs and Border Protection, who took him into custody. The second suspect remains unidentified and is still at large. He was last seen leaving Wahoo’s Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant in Islamorada heading southbound in a brown Ford F-150 truck.
At the scene, officers recovered two speared tarpon and an undersize speared snook. A warrant has been issued for the violations.
Anyone with information regarding the unidentified suspect is encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Media contacts:
- Arielle Callender, Arielle.Callender@MyFWC.com
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
On Feb. 26, 2025, following a yearlong investigation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers arrested Jorge L. Alfonso (DOB 05/26/1987) of Homestead on charges related to the illegal sale and trade of species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Poachers use elaborate traps, often suspended in trees or hidden in tall grasses, to capture these birds, which are then illegally sold — sometimes to unsuspecting buyers. These actions violate federal law, which protects migratory birds from unlawful capture, trade and harm.
“We are proud of our officers' dedication in bringing this investigation to completion and shutting down another operation in the illegal bird trade,” said FWC Maj. Alberto Maza, South B Regional Commander. “We are especially grateful that all the birds were safely released back into their natural habitat. It’s important for the public to know that possessing a migratory songbird is illegal. If you see or have knowledge of someone trapping or selling these birds, please report it.”
In total, 57 migratory birds — including painted and indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks and cardinals — were rescued and released back into the wild. Officers also seized an aviary and 11 cages.
The public can report suspected wildlife violations by calling FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or texting 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” and details of the violation.
See photos related to this case.
See the video about this case.
On Feb. 11, the State Attorney’s Office sentenced Abilio Aiken Medina, 32, of Davenport, for multiple charges, including a felony for animal cruelty, following his 2023 arrest by FWC captive wildlife investigators.
On Nov. 22, 2023, FWC Investigators responded to a complaint from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office regarding reptiles being kept in unsanitary conditions. During the inspection, investigators discovered a room with multiple reptile enclosures containing dirty or no water and, in some cases, malnourished or deceased animals.
Among the neglected animals found:
- A deceased, dehydrated ball python in its own excrement.
- Several bearded dragons, boa constrictors, pythons and other reptiles with contaminated or no water.
- A malnourished spiny-tailed iguana and two tortoises without water.
- A rose-haired tarantula with no water.
All animals were released to the FWC and placed in a permitted rescue facility and charges were referred to the State Attorney’s Office.
“I have no doubt that justice for these animals was achieved thanks to our investigators' diligence,” said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife Section Leader. “We appreciate the State Attorney’s Office for recognizing the importance of responsible captive wildlife ownership.”
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, texting 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” and information about the violation, calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
FWC Officer George Reynaud responded to reports of a person at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park throwing rocks at a federally protected great white heron. The investigation revealed the individual was fishing and became angry when the bird ate his bait. In a cruel act, he threw rocks at the heron, severely injuring it. The subject admitted to the crime and was arrested and taken to jail. The injured heron is in the care of Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, where experts are working to rehabilitate it. Learn more and report fish, wildlife and boating violations at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
See the video about this case.
On Feb. 27, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, assisted by Lantana and Malapan police officers, worked to rescue and release a 14-foot smalltooth sawfish trapped in a net secured to a bridge. Acting quickly, they carefully freed the sawfish, collected a sample for Fish and Wildlife Research biologists and released the animal back into the water unharmed – all within minutes. There is no evidence to suggest this sawfish exhibited abnormal (spinning) behavior as was seen in the Keys last year.
The smalltooth sawfish population has been reduced to a small section of Florida’s southern coast and has been federally listed as endangered; their core range in the U.S. used to extend from North Carolina to Texas.
“Every specimen of this endangered species is vital to its genetic diversity, said Maj. Mike Davis, South A Regional Commander. “I am grateful our officers were able to return this one to its habitat safely.”
Please report sawfish sightings by email or telephone:
- Sawfish@MyFWC.com
- 844-472-9347(1-844-4SAWFISH)
For More Information
- See the sawfish rescue and release video.
- Read the news alert.
- Learn more about sawfish.
- Visit Wildlife Alert to learn how to report wildlife in distress or wildlife, fishing and boating violations.
FWC Officer Catches Fishing Violations in Big Cypress
While patrolling I-75 in Big Cypress, FWC Officer Chase Pruett observed an adult and two youths exiting a hole in a fence, carrying fishing rods and a stringer loaded with various bass species.
Upon conducting a resource inspection, Officer Pruett discovered the group possessed 20 Florida bass—exceeding the legal bag limit by five, including two fish over the 16-inch size limit. Additionally, they had 25 butterfly peacock bass, surpassing the bag limit by 19.
The adult was issued a notice to appear for the violations. FWC reminds anglers to familiarize themselves with fishing regulations to ensure the sustainability of the resource.
