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.
Contact Information
Phone
352-732-1225
Address
Regional Office
1239 S.W. 10th Street
Ocala, FL 34471
Regional Media Contacts
News and Updates
Flat-nosed viper.
On Nov. 17, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators responded to a request for assistance from the Indian River Sheriff’s Office at a home in Vero Beach, where several venomous reptiles were discovered. The sheriff’s office was at the residence on an unrelated warrant.
Once Inside the home FWC investigators discovered the following venomous reptiles:
- Egyptian cobra.
- Snouted cobra.
- Western diamondback rattlesnake.
- Gaboon viper.
- Flat-nosed viper.
- Bush viper.
- Mexican beaded lizard.
After checking the database, officers determined the individual did not have any of the required permits to possess the reptiles. A total of 29 misdemeanor citations were issued for the following violations:
- Possession of a venomous reptile without a permit.
- Unsanitary conditions.
- No water or dirty water.
- No enclosure ID system.
- No approved secondary containment.
All reptiles were seized and safely transported to a permitted facility, where they were placed in secure enclosures and provided with fresh water.
“We appreciate the collaboration of our partners at the IRSO. Their knowledge and timely request for support allowed us to intervene in a case of unlawful and irresponsible captive wildlife ownership,” said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife Section Leader. “The FWC is committed to enforcing established regulations. Irresponsible keepers not only endanger the animals involved but also create a harmful and inaccurate perception of responsible reptile owners.”
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or by submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
Find photos of other seized venomous reptiles.
On Oct. 10, 2025, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers responded to a call from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office regarding an incident at the Port Canaveral Cargo Dock.
According to initial reports, an individual drove a truck through a large group of birds, killing 35 at the scene. An additional 13 birds had to be euthanized due to injuries; only one bird survived.
FWC officers conducted a comprehensive investigation, which included reviewing video evidence, collecting physical evidence, obtaining witness statements, and interviewing the suspect. The Florida Wildlife Hospital and Wild Florida Rescue also responded to provide care for the injured birds.
The investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, remains active. Prior to any charging decisions, additional evidence will be submitted to the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office for review.
On Sept. 22, 2025, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested Jacob Latreille (DOB 08/04/2004) of Mims following an extensive investigation into multiple illegal wildlife harvests earlier this year.
Officer Caleb Hallsten led the case, with assistance from Officer Dennis Navarino, relying heavily on digital evidence analysis that confirmed over a dozen violations.
The investigation began on May 22, when Officer Hallsten received information regarding Snapchat videos showing Luke David Michael Landry (DOB 11/16/1999) of Titusville in possession of illegally taken alligators. A warrant has been issued for Landry’s arrest. Warrants are also active for Robert Gage Martin (DOB 09/01/1997) and Wyatt Scott Lowe (DOB 10/17/2000), both of Titusville.
On May 27, officers executed a search warrant at Landry’s residence. Interviews conducted during the search led investigators to Latreille, who owned the airboat used in several of the incidents and additional evidence connecting him to multiple illegal alligator harvests in April and May.
Key findings include Latreille and others illegally capturing seven alligators on April 19, most by hand, snatching them from the front of a moving airboat, before killing most of them. Between April 24 and May 11, at least seven more alligators were illegally taken and killed. During this same time period, a whitetail deer was illegally shot with a gun and light from a roadway.
The FWC takes these and other wildlife violations very seriously. Illegally taking and handling wildlife is a serious violation of Florida law and poses risks to both wildlife and public safety. The public can report suspected violations by contacting the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
On Sept. 3, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) filed charges with the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office against three Seminole County juveniles involved in an Aug. 30 boating incident on Lake Brantley. The operator of the vessel was charged with knowingly giving a false report to law enforcement, and two of the occupants were charged with giving false official statements to law enforcement.
On the date of the incident, FWC officers responded after the vessel operator’s father reported that his son and three passengers had been struck by another boat that had fled the scene. According to the initial account, all four occupants were ejected into the water, sustained minor injuries and the damaged vessel was beached after taking on water.
Multiple officers from the FWC and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office dedicated significant time and resources to the investigation. Over the course of several hours, officers conducted interviews, systematically searched the entire lake, covering boat ramps, shoreline access points, and adjoining canals, and deployed boats to canvass the water. In addition, they reviewed security camera footage from nearby properties and businesses to corroborate the report.
Later that evening, the vessel operator’s father informed officers that his son’s account was false. The crash was not a hit-and-run but rather a collision with a dock. Officers returned to the area, where they found fiberglass debris in the water and significant dock damage.
The occupants were re-interviewed and admitted the vessel had struck the dock. However, the operator continued to provide false information and required a third interview before clarifying the facts.
The dock owner is currently assessing the damage. The investigation remains open pending review by the State Attorney’s Office.
The FWC takes boating safety and boating violations very seriously, the public can report suspected violations by contacting the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert , all tips may be reported anonymously.
Media Contacts
- Northeast Region: Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com
- Law Enforcement: Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
On Aug.30, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) K-9 Mako and handler Officer Megan Malicoat were conducting resource inspections near the Guana Dam in St. Johns County when K-9 Mako alerted to a vehicle leaving the area.
A resource inspection revealed two redfish in the vehicle’s cooler, including one that was oversized. The daily bag limit allows only one redfish per person per day.
The individual received misdemeanor citations for possessing an oversize redfish and exceeding the daily bag limit.
Find information about recreational saltwater fishing regulations.
On Aug. 31, Officer Malicoat and K-9 Mako responded to North Peninsula State Park in Ormond Beach following multiple complaints of illegal saw palmetto berry harvesting from park staff. K-9 Mako tracked a fresh trail and located Aubrey R. Cheslock (DOB 08/27/1989) and Kelsee M. Cheslock (DOB 05/18/1993), both of Oak Hill, actively harvesting palmetto berries. The pair were found in possession of hundreds of pounds of berries.
Further investigation revealed Aubrey Cheslock had an active, no-bond felony warrant for violation of probation related to a previous palmetto berry harvest and possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on the warrant, and both individuals were charged with unlawful harvest of palmetto berries.
The FWC takes resource violations very seriously. The public can report suspected violations by calling the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert. Tips may be reported anonymously.
Media Contacts
- Northeast Region: Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com
- Northeast Region: Chad.Weber@MyFWC.com
- Law Enforcement: Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
On Aug.14, at approximately 1 p.m., a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer responded to a report that an individual in a blue Toyota sedan had struck a park ranger in a golf cart and fled the scene at Blue Springs State Park in Volusia County.
Statements from park rangers at the scene corroborated the initial report. Another ranger attempted to flag down the vehicle at the park’s front gate, but the driver swerved around the ranger and sped away. Despite the quick sequence of events, park rangers were able to capture the vehicle’s license plate number and describe the vehicle and driver.
The golf cart sustained extensive damage, and the park ranger involved suffered minor injuries.
Following a positive identification of the suspect and the vehicle in a photo line-up, officers located the vehicle at the suspect’s residence about four hours later. The vehicle displayed damage consistent with the crash. After an interview in which the suspect confirmed details of the incident, Norman Yahir Velazquez Sepulveda (DOB 07/26/2007) was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash with injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be forthcoming.
Media Contacts
On June 29, officers observed a vehicle driving recklessly on A1A in St. Johns County and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and the driver, Theodore Tundidor (DOB 06/10/1994), was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, and driving under the influence.
Unaware at the time that the driver was also a suspect in earlier crimes, officers requested assistance from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) during the pursuit. When the SJSO deputies arrived, they confirmed that Tundidor was wanted in connection with a robbery and an attempted kidnapping that had occurred prior to the traffic stop. The suspect was subsequently charged with those additional offenses
“I am proud of the strong partnership we have with the Sheriff’s Office here in St. John’s County,” said Major Jay Russel, FWC Northeast Regional Commander. “Because of our close collaboration and our officers’ quick response, we were able to remove a potentially dangerous individual from our community.”
The SJSO is the lead agency for this ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.
Media contacts
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, in coordination with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), responded on June 4 to a report of a single-engine plane down on the Indian River.
Preliminary reports indicate that two individuals and a dog were on board at the time of the incident. All occupants safely made it to shore with assistance from a Good Samaritan and are reported to be in good condition.
FWC and BCSO personnel remained on scene to document the incident and gather information for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will lead the investigation.
On Sunday, June 1, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in coordination with the Indian River Sheriff’s Office and United States Coast Guard (USCG), responded to a report of a downed single-engine Cessna Skyhawk aircraft in coastal waters, near the St. Lucie-Indian River County line. Three individuals were reported to be on board at the time of the incident.
While en route, FWC officers received confirmation that an Indian River SO helicopter had located the individuals in the water. FWC officers navigated to the scene and successfully rescued the two people while partner agencies recovered the third individual.
Indian River Fire Rescue was on scene to provide medical assistance. All three individuals were transported to USCG Station Fort Pierce for further evaluation. They were reported to be in stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the appropriate aviation authorities.
See the body camera video.
Media Contacts
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
- Arielle Callender, Arielle.Callender@MyFWC.com
FWC Officer Michael Hopkins responded to a report of possible spearfishing violations in Sebastian Inlet State Park and observed two individuals near a tide pool. The park manager identified one of the individuals, who was seated on a truck and appeared to be acting as a lookout.
During a resource inspection, both individuals denied any involvement in diving or fishing activities, despite a visibly wet dive bag being present in the bed of the truck. After speaking with the individuals, Officer Hopkins departed but maintained surveillance from a concealed position.
Officer Matthew St. Martin soon arrived to assist with ongoing surveillance. Shortly thereafter, the subjects resumed fishing activity. The officers observed them hide a stringer with a snook in the rocks and retrieve a heavy black container.
The officers approached the subjects and discovered a goliath grouper and three over-slot snook, all illegally harvested using a speargun. The officers received a full confession and arrested one individual for the illegal harvest and issued a notice to appear to the second individual.
This successful enforcement action highlights the strong collaboration between Florida state parks and the FWC’s Northeast Region South Coastal Squad in safeguarding the state’s natural resources.
On the evening of April 14, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) swiftly responded to a report of two overdue kayakers in the remote backwaters of Oak Hill.
The missing individuals, a 72-year-old man and his grandson, ventured out without any communication devices, prompting immediate concern when they failed to return as expected.
FWC aviation units quickly took to the skies, deploying an aircraft to search the expansive area. Simultaneously, additional officers launched a vessel to begin a coordinated water search. Thanks to the collaborative efforts and rapid deployment of resources, FWC and VCSO pilots spotted the kayakers from the air. FWC patrol officers on the water reached the pair shortly thereafter and safely returned them to their residence.
“This situation could have had a very different outcome, but thanks to the swift actions of our aviation and patrol officers, along with the excellent teamwork with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, it ended positively for everyone involved,” said FWC Lt. Colonel Randy Bowlin, Deputy Director, North Operations.
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.
Media Contact:
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 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 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
Community Outreach
The Pine Ridge High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter in Volusia County recently got a unique, hands-on opportunity to work with the Northeast Region K-9 Unit.
Students acted as “track layers,” giving the K-9s a chance to experience new environments, smells, and human interactions beyond their usual training with uniformed officers. This created a realistic scenario for the dogs and their handlers.
The exercise simulated a scenario of searching for a person and the students and K-9s did an outstanding job. FFA members earned volunteer hours for their participation while the K-9s gained valuable training to support the amazing work they already do in the field.
A special thank you goes to Investigator Sexton for coordinating with the school and making this experience possible.
K-9 Maggie and her Pine Ridge FFA Team
FWC officers spent the afternoon at Gemini Springs with Cub Scout Pack 241, helping young Scouts learn the basics of fishing while promoting conservation and outdoor recreation. The Pack, which has seen declining participation in recent years, organized the event as part of a community outreach effort aimed at introducing more families to Scouting and the outdoors.
Lieutenant John West coordinated the FWC's involvement, bringing a team of officers who shared their knowledge with the group. Officers provided check sticks, explained fishing regulations, and provided the Scouts with fishing instruction including lessons in how to cast. Many of the Scouts were first-time anglers and enjoyed the hands-on fishing experience.
"On behalf of Cub Scout Pack 241, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support and participation in our recent Hooked on Scouting event!" said Heather Hughes, Committee Chair for the Pack. "Your team’s presence made a huge impact, and we’re so grateful for the time and energy they shared with us.”
Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Northeast Region recently participated in a youth camp hosted at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest. The event, organized by the Never Say Never Foundation, was dedicated to children with limb differences (AMP Camp).
FWC Master Officer Joe Simpson and his K-9 partner Angus wowed the campers with a demonstration highlighting the vital role of K-9 units in conservation efforts. Officer Lauren Dickson gave the group a hands-on introduction to a ball python and taught the campers about native snake species.
Biologist Chad Owen showcased various freshwater fish species while sharing insights about Florida’s diverse aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile, Biologist Jeff Shelton led the children in dip-netting along the lake’s edge, helping them discover and identify local aquatic species up close.
Lt. Asa Dias and Officer Chad Weber rounded out the day with an airboat display, offering a look at the specialized tools and equipment used by FWC officers in the field.
The camp provided an engaging, educational experience that sparked curiosity and deepened the children’s connection with Florida’s wildlife and natural resources.
Paddling Safety Tips from Officer Weber
This short video covers essential information to help those who canoe, kayak, and paddleboard stay safe while enjoying a day on the water.
Safe Boating Webpage