Navigating Marine And Wildlife Crime Charges In Pinellas County

In June 2025, the Tampa Bay Times spotlighted Ben Laing, Pinellas County’s newly appointed Assistant State Attorney specializing in environmental crime prosecution. Working alongside FWC Capt. Matthew Dallarosa and Officer Jody Criswell, he spearheads high‑profile cases targeting marine and wildlife violations—ranging from illegal boating accidents to protected wildlife killings.

Why Marine Crime Prosecutions Matter

Florida’s waterways are home to protected species like manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and shorebirds, protected under both state statutes and federal laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Offenses include:

• Harmful boating incidents—such as collisions causing injury or death to protected wildlife.
• Illegal hunting or shooting of birds or marine mammals.
• Tampering with habitats, including constructing in gopher tortoise burrows or polluting waterways.
• Boating violations leading to spills or discharges—including oil or chemicals.

These actions are taken seriously and can result in felony charges, heavy fines, and even federal review.

Recent High‑Profile Cases In The Bay Area

• E‑scooter striking protected shorebird: Prosecutors exhumed the bird, conducted a necropsy, and secured eyewitness testimony for a felony wildlife violation nypost.comtampabay.com.
• Boating incident involving a fatal ferry crash: An ongoing marine crash investigation could lead to severe charges against the driver justia.com+4tampabay.com+4patch.com+4.
• Illegal shooting of a blue heron: Off‑the‑radar but ongoing cases include backyard shootings of protected species .
• Water scooter manatee strikes and gopher tortoise habitat damage in Tarpon Springs—showcasing the range of environmental issues tackled regularly criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com+14tampabay.com+14facebook.com+14.

Your Rights And Defenses

Facing charges? Here’s what you should know:

• Intent matters: Proving deliberate harm or reckless disregard is crucial. Accidental incidents may form the basis for defense.
• Evidence gathering: Wildlife cases hinge on forensic data—necropsies, video evidence, boat logs, and witness testimony.
• Challenging authority: Defense may include disputing jurisdiction, chain of custody, or the accuracy of wildlife identification.
• Mitigating circumstances: Lack of awareness, misidentification, or emergency situations may be valid defensive strategies.

How Stechschulte Nell Can Help

Navigating environmental and wildlife crime charges requires both legal know‑how and scientific understanding. At Stechschulte Nell, we bring:

• Local courtroom experience: Familiarity with the State Attorney’s office and prosecutors like Ben Laing.
• Environmental law expertise: Ability to analyze complex evidence—wildlife pathology, boat instrumentation logs, or environmental damage assessments.
• Aggressive defense strategies: From challenging evidence to negotiating reduced charges or seeking diversion options.
• Federal case handling: Ready to defend in state and federal courts, if your case escalates under statutes like the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Next Steps If You’re Involved

1. Contact our office ASAP—timing is critical in obtaining and preserving evidence.
2. Avoid self‑incrimination—consult our Tampa, FL criminal defense lawyer before speaking to investigators.
3. Preserve evidence—don’t alter the scene, discard fish, or clean boats—everything may be key.
4. Act quickly—deadlines for responding to mounts of wildlife evidence and environmental agencies are strict.

Protect Your Rights In Environmental Crime Cases

If you’re facing marine or wildlife crime allegations in the Tampa Bay area—from boating collisions to habitat destruction—don’t go it alone. At Stechschulte Nell, we combine legal insight with scientific understanding to safeguard your rights and pursue the best possible outcome.

Call us at (813) 280‑1244 or visit our website to schedule a confidential consultation today.