FWC Division of Law Enforcement Northeast Region
Northeast Region
The Northeast Region has over 40 wildlife management areas, a national forest, water management district lands and numerous state parks and preserves. This region is a combination of urban and rural environments. The northern reaches of the region provide some of the best wild turkey and deer hunting and freshwater fishing opportunities in the state. The southern counties of the region provide excellent duck hunting and boast a healthy population of Osceola turkeys, a subspecies of wild turkey sought by hunters from across the United States. The coastal counties of this region make up the largest coastline of any FWC region and provide some of the best inshore and offshore fishing in Florida.
News and Updates
On March 23, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Chase Platt and K-9 Bolo assisted the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at Kempfer Ranch following reports of gunfire in the area. Four individuals fled from OCSO deputies but were soon apprehended.
After the suspects were in custody, Officer Platt deployed K-9 Bolo, who swiftly located a semi-automatic pistol near the area where the individuals had been found. Continuing the search, K-9 Bolo uncovered a backpack containing two additional firearms and multiple boxes of ammunition at a second location.
All recovered evidence was turned over to OCSO, the lead agency handling the case.
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Acting on a tip from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers cited Daniel David Dinovi (DOB 12/15/1978) of Merritt Island on March 14 with 20 misdemeanors related to prohibited species including possession, caging and improper sanitation violations.
FWC officers, assisted by BCSO deputies, discovered multiple nonregulated reptiles, as well as four prohibited species in Dinovi’s possession: two Burmese pythons, one Nile monitor, and one black and white tegu. While the nonregulated reptiles were left in place, the prohibited species were relocated to licensed facilities.
“The FWC encourages responsible captive wildlife ownership,” said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife Section Leader. “Individuals who do not follow established guidelines create a misleading and damaging perception of reptile owners.”
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.
Media contacts:
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
- Kristen Turner, Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com
Nile monitors are a prohibited species.
See other photos related to 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (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.
Media contacts:
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
- Kristen Turner, Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com