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Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

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Florida/National News

U.S. Magistrate Sentences Two Men For Harassing Manatees: YouTube Video Removes All Doubt

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announced yesterday that Taylor Blake Martin (22, Alabama) and Seth Andrew Stephenson (22, Rockledge) were sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly. Martin and Stephenson previously pleaded guilty to harassing an endangered species.

Judge Kelly ordered Martin to pay a $3,000 fine; sentenced him to 175 hours of community service; and 2 years’ probation.

Stephenson was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine; was sentenced to 175 hours of community service; and 2 years’ probation.  Martin and Stephenson were also ordered to individually post an apology and a statement of remorse on Facebook.

Manatee with pup.     

According to court documents, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service became aware of a video posted on Facebook that showed one individual luring two manatees to a dock with a water hose and another individual jump off of a boat dock and “cannonball” an adult manatee and a calf.

Further investigation revealed that Martin was the person who “cannonballed” on top of the manatees and Stephenson lured the manatees to the dock with the water hose.

The video shows Martin land on the back of the adult manatee as the manatees swim away. Stephenson then begins to use the water hose in an attempt to lure the manatees back as the video ends. 

After the video was posted on Facebook, several people commented on it. In response to a post that expressed displeasure with Martin’s actions, Martin responded, “hahaha…in my debue [sic] as tayla the manatee slaya…im f---- ready to cannonball on every manatee living yewwww.”  

Andrew Aloise, Resident Agent in Charge for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, said, "The U.S. Magistrate Judge sent a clear message with this sentence that Manatee Harassment is a serious crime which will be dealt with harshly. If there had been evidence of physical damage to the Manatees he would have put them in jail."

Ken Warren, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson, said, “There’s absolutely no excuse for this type of reckless behavior with any wildlife species, but particularly those that are endangered."

Mr. Warren continued, “We hope these sentences serve as a reminder of that and as a deterrent to anyone thinking of harassing or bothering, in any way, manatees or any type of wildlife.”

Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer

 

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