Florida Businessmen Charged with Felonies for Using Mothballs to Deter Nesting Birds

Two Florida business owners face serious legal consequences after allegedly spreading approximately 1,500 mothballs across a beach. Their aim was to prevent an endangered bird species from nesting there. If found guilty, the two could face up to five years in prison, fines of up to $5,000, and up to five years of probation.

Incident Details

The issue first arose in late April when beachgoers discovered mothballs scattered on the white sand of St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg, Florida. Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with volunteers from the Audubon Society, mobilized to remove the mothballs, extracting around 1,000 from the area behind the Plaza Beach Hotel. However, an additional 500 appeared overnight.

The mothballs contained pesticides that posed a threat not only to endangered shorebirds known as black skimmers but also to other wildlife and even children.

Investigation and Charges

FWC investigators took quick action amid community concern. Law enforcement searched digital data and seized cellphones to identify those responsible. The investigation led to Christopher Monroe, owner of Chris’s Beachside Bar, and Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel. They allegedly used mothballs to prevent birds from nesting near their businesses, fearing it would affect their revenue.

Investigators used video surveillance and receipt records to track that Czyszczon purchased mothballs from a Walmart. Messages retrieved from his phone discussed plans with Monroe regarding mothballs placement. Cellphone tower data confirmed both men were present at the scene during the incidents.

Legal Implications

Both men now face charges of illegal dumping, a third-degree felony, and misdemeanor charges for the attempted harassment of a state-listed imperiled species. They are currently out on bond as the legal process unfolds.

Environmental Impact

About 6,800 black skimmers inhabit Florida, with several hundred residing in Pinellas County beaches. The mothball incident disrupted the birds’ nesting process, delaying the fledging of their young. This delay can make them vulnerable, particularly to storms at the end of hurricane season.

Brett W. Bultemeier from the University of Florida emphasizes that the use of pesticides is regulated. Mothballs pose significant risks to both people and wildlife due to their toxic vapors.

An attorney for Czyszczon did not comment, while Monroe currently lacks legal representation.