SUN-SENTINEL (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 01 August 05 Riviera Beach man arrested in poaching of 142 sea turtle eggs
A Riviera Beach man was arrested early Sunday morning for poaching 142 sea turtle eggs from the beach in the Singer Island area.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer arrested Kenneth Coleman, 42, after Palm Beach Shores police stopped him for driving a bicycle without a light. He dropped a bag of eggs and took off, but police captured him.
The eggs are thought to have come from at least one nest, said Willie Puz, a commission spokesman.
Coleman was questioned about a month ago for digging up another nest that turned out to be empty.
Sea turtle eggs are eaten as an aphrodisiac and can net up to $30 per dozen on the street, Puz said. So far this nesting season, at least 11 nests have been poached, he said. The officers reburied all but 11 eggs allegedly taken by Coleman. Those eggs were kept as evidence and for genetic testing to identify the species.
Coleman faces felony possession of marine turtle eggs, a charge punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine, Puz said. Coleman is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail.
Riviera Beach man arrested in poaching of 142 sea turtle eggs