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All right, we're getting a perfect shot at 10:53. >> Today's video features a commercial captain who just refuses to learn his lesson. He's what I like to call a frequent flyer. Apparently, FWC's customer service is so good that he keeps coming up with new and creative ways to grace them with his presence. Back in January of 2021, he was charged with breaching the peace, exceeding the regional bag limit of mullet, and failing to have his license and stamp aboard the vessel. As part of a negotiated plea deal, he pled guilty to two of the charges and was found guilty of breaching the peace. Fast forward to April of 2023 and you'll see that he was accused of operating more than two cast nets from a single vessel. This charge was later dropped and at the start of 2024, he filed a motion to get his cast nets back from FWC. The judge granted the motion and the cast nets were presumably recovered by this captain. Well, just two months after recovering those nets from FWC, officers began receiving reports that he was fishing within locks in the area, something you're not allowed to do. Specifically, he was reportedly seen within the South Gulf Coast boat lock, which has signage posted that there is no fishing or netting in the area and the dock master even took photographs to show his presence. Here's a couple of those photographs that were taken just four days prior to this interaction. Also worth noting, he was previously trespassed from these locks. This video that we're going to be showing you today was 13 days after the trespassing warning of 1 year expired. So, upon arriving on scene, the officer decided to wait at a concealed location while he called for backup and he observed and documented what he was seeing. >> All right. Hey, where are you at? >> I'm past the stadium. >> All right, listen. It's Peppers driving the boat, Frankie's throwing. And what they're doing is they're coming up to the into the lock itself, throwing a net, and then they're backing out as quick as they can. So, it doesn't look like they're actually fishing in the So, when you come up, see what you'll see my truck parked a little bit of ways. Park like in our lake 15, 20 yards behind me. Do not slam your doors, turn your radio off completely, and cuz they can hear it, they're right on the other side of my ankles and they back away. They're literally like 15 ft from my truck. When I just continue to let this run, he's They backed out of here so they can clear their net of all the fish. And I'm sure they'll be right back up to do it again. While we're standing here, just for purposes for this case, these are the sides that are facing outward on the docks, on the end of the at the end of the dock on each side there. It's the same as the South Coast Gulf Docks. Absolutely no fishing, netting, crabbing, anchoring, or any recreational activity on the locked area, including on the docks. Ocean of 5, violated be prosecuted. >> As you can see from the officer's perspective, there's clear signage stating that there is no fishing or netting allowed. These signs are also visible from the water. You can see them here and here. >> Sounds like Frankie's banging on sinkers on the cast net, I guess on the deck, which means it's probably the only thing holding it together by now. >> After collecting some video evidence, he began to fear that the individuals may leave the area and decided to make contact. >> But like I said, I'd uh >> Bring it over to the dock, guys. >> Huh? >> Bring it over to the dock. >> For what? >> Cuz you guys are inside the lock as usual. >> Ocean of 5 >> 7454, show me out with subjects in the South Coast Gulf Docks. I need a signal 89 pulled. We also have quality control issue, too. Need those other fish on the deck, where they're at, too. >> 7454, 10-20 and they copy you on a signal 89. >> South Gulf dock with Bring it over here. Don't empty the net just yet. Don't do it. >> All right. >> Put the net down for right now. >> I'm just going to show >> Drop the net down. >> You're going to make me >> Drop the net down for right now. >> I can I at least drop the net >> Drop the net down for right now. >> 71 71 gone. You took my nets last time and I got >> 4287104 Victor Romeo >> Drop the net. >> It's one simple step. >> You'll be able to take care of it here shortly. >> As they began motoring over to the dock, the second officer arrived on scene as backup. >> I got him twice throwing in here. First time they went backed out. They came right up here as you see where they were at. He tossed right up into that. He also had fish all over the deck from the last one. So, we got quality control issues as well. I had him leave the fish that are that he just caught inside the net itself. >> So, you may have noticed the officer mentioned a quality control issue. We want to talk a little bit about what that means. What he's referring to is a Florida administrative code that requires fish to be on finely divided ice or within adequate refrigeration. Based on [clears throat] the officer's observations, the initial haul from the first cast net throw was left on the deck laying out in the elements, not on any ice or within any refrigeration. >> Once you get tied up, I need to see IDs for both SPL and registration. >> Going on? Always something. >> Yep. Seems to be. >> I have a knife in my pocket. >> Leave it in your pocket for right now. Is it an open blade or is it folded? Is it sheathed? All right. >> What did you say you needed? >> SPL IDs and boat registration. >> I don't think I got it back in there last time. >> What do you mean? >> Uh the last time I've seen it was right here on this dock April 5th. >> All right, here's a good picture of it. >> The last time I saw it >> You weren't issued another one? Since all commercial boat registrations are due in January or I'm sorry, on June 30th, you weren't issued a new one by the state? >> What do you mean? >> Yeah, you didn't turn it in? >> the boat registration, that's every 2 years. >> It's every year unless you pay for 2 years. >> I did pay for 2 years. >> Okay, you still have to have a copy of it. >> I know. >> Okay. >> I got these. >> Get them? Okay. >> Can I go ahead and pick them up now? >> No, you can't. So, what you're going to do is you're going to take what's in the net and separate them to the back. Since they're in the net still, cuz I know you had a whole pile of fish just laying on the deck that are all dead like this one. >> They're not dead. >> Okay, I'm not going to argue with you. I'm not going to argue with you. The ones that are in the net, you can move them all the way to the back right now and leave them in the net till I get photographs of the ones that were laying on the deck already. >> Okay, can Hey, um videotape. >> Don't dump any fish out of that net, Frankie. >> I'm not. It's Look, you can still see it's tucked. I will even do this and anchor the tuck. Is that Is it recording? >> Yeah. >> I might have just turned it off. >> I'm bringing vehicle up. Do a quick safety check and see what other fish they have on board or don't. Just leave that there for now. We're done. All right, let's go do a safety check while he's going to grab the rest of the stuff. >> All right. >> I'll just do a life jacket for each one of you. Horn or whistle? Throwable? >> Okay. >> Here. >> Horn Is that horn or whistle? >> Yep. >> That works. But don't go digging in there until he gets done, please. Thank you. >> Oh, that's where are uh >> I understand, but he can do it. I just Either one of them got F L's on them? >> Uh No, but that's that's simple. >> Okay. All righty. Fire extinguisher Fire extinguisher and he said the registration is what you were missing. Is that what he's talking about a minute ago? >> it should be in the hole. Can he look for it? >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah, I just didn't want you both digging at the same time. Go ahead. >> I think the fire extinguisher's in the hole. I've passed this test two or three times, so >> Well, you know, one of those things we pretty much always do, so Is it in there? >> There it is. >> All right, just need to see that it's good. It's full. I just need to see the the fire extinguisher. >> You need to see it? >> Yeah, I got to see that it's good. All right. Thank you, sir. All right. [snorts] >> Why am I a target? >> What's that? >> Why am I a target? >> I mean, keep running into stuff. That's kind of the main problem. >> Yeah. >> Well, um What other fish you got in here? >> Ice. >> There's ice in there? >> Okay, we'll just take a quick peek in those. You got ice in the front box, too? You got fish in there? >> Nope. Just got here. >> Just got going. Okay. >> Yeah. >> How big are your nets? >> Hard grow 14. >> Hard grow 14, what does that mean? >> They're cut down. >> Okay. >> They're They could be 14, but >> Thank you, sir. >> Yeah, they're all They're all cut down. >> What do you cut them down to? >> Three 13 11. >> Okay. >> You all remember that 4 years ago? Cape May's Point. >> Vaguely. Thank you, sir. >> mean you measured my nets 13 ft 11. >> Yeah. >> That was then I told you then it was a hard grow 14. >> I must have forgot, man. >> It was the middle of the night. Big old Spanish dude on my boat. >> Oh, I think I do remember that. Yeah. >> I'm talking coldest >> Yeah, I do remember that. That whole season was cold, man. >> Yeah. The plastic bag. >> I think there's a sandwich in there. >> Yeah, there is. >> Just need to see it's not a fish. Thanks, sir. That's good. All right. >> I haven't measured nets yet, but everything else is good except for he doesn't have FLs on his life jackets. While going through safety equipment, the officers discovered that the vessel's registration numbers were not on the life jackets. For commercial vessels, this is a requirement. And then they began looking for a couple other little things that actually led to citations later on. >> No FLs or no registration. All right. You want to bring your your truck up? >> Yep. >> You want to You want to measure nets or no? >> Not right now. I'll give it a few minutes. All right, those are the ones that are in the net, they can go in the ice box. And you have fish in ice boxes already? >> Nope. >> No fish so are these the fish? Okay. >> Hopefully this fish is still alive. >> I know. It don't matter. >> You guys have to have them on ice before you continue to go fishing again. So, go ahead and put those ones away. >> Yes, sir. Hey, say hey. >> Hey. >> It guess who it is. >> Who? >> Hardgrove. >> Why? >> Everything in the book. >> Why? >> Because I'm stupid. >> You're stupid or because of the JP? >> Yeah, I It's cuz of them. I know what it is. So, what's going on with these fish? >> Those That's That's a That's a quality control issue. >> Try not to say much. All right, love you, babe. >> Can you request CCSO send our zone unit out here? Uh reference trespass at the South Gulf Cove locks. >> You fish out of good you. >> I know, but you can take it. >> Oh, that's not free. >> Well, he's going to take it, so what? I'm worried about fish on the on the deck. Then I just busted my >> I know. >> Feed my family with it. >> Got the ass sewing route. I won't measure that's the one he's using. This one is wet to the touch too. So, he's been using that. So, I'll measure those two. You want to grab that? You can see it's wet to the touch now. It's fresh green in it moss. All right. Hear me out. I need a yes that you understand this on camera. These fish were not seized from me today. They cannot be sold as food. Period end of story. >> Okay. >> That's a yes you understand that? Is that a yes you understand it? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, we know where they're [snorts] going. >> So, we'll be back. And sheriff is also be here shortly too to trespass you as well. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You can take your nets. >> You can take your nets? >> You can take your nets. >> Okay. >> Once we're done, >> Well, I'm a You agree now we can keep keep the fish. They just cannot be sold for food. >> for food purposes. If we find out that you sold these for food, >> You will not because they're going somewhere. I'll make that phone call right now as they're getting sold for 25 cents. >> Where are they going? >> To a crabber. >> Which crabber? Okay. Soon as we're done with this and you guys are trespassed, straight out the lock gate and do not come back. >> Yes, sir. >> Having gathered what they felt was sufficient evidence to move the charges forward, they met with the dock master to give him a quick summary and to discuss the idea of trespassing him permanently. >> All right. So, we we got them obviously doing their crap as always. Uh sheriff's department is here uh to trespass them. I just need to list you as the representative for the lock. >> Okay. No problem. >> No, okay. >> So, they won't be able to come back for you. >> I do. Yeah, that'll be easier for me. >> see nothing. I'm out of here. Probably best. Well, these guys >> You got more of yours fishing you think? >> These guys are regulars for us. We constantly have non-stop issues with them. >> The problem is they know what they're supposed to do and they do it anyway. That's the problem. >> Same time last year he did this too and got trespassed. >> And they always act surprised. >> Yeah. Well, they don't act surprised so much. They act pissed about it. >> What will they get? >> They'll be charged with three different charges apiece plus they're being trespassed from here. >> Like fines? >> Possible jail time, yeah. Yeah. They both have histories a mile long. >> They what? >> They're both problem children for us. They have They have serious histories with us. These guys are always incessantly just causing issues, so but we'll be we'll be back for We know what the problem is, so. Sure, information right here. All right. Steven, I know this two of you have three criminal charges for today. You're also being trespassed for life from this area. This lock is from where the wood begins. So, the wood begins means you guys can't even transit this area any longer. >> I got a criminal charge today? >> You got three. >> What is that? >> Violation county ordinance 9627. No netting inside the lock or fishing. No No finally divided ice on the fish and not covered from the elements quality control. You have court date on the 8th of May, 8:30 a.m. Show up at the courthouse, 350 East Marion Avenue. If you sign right there, you sign right now you're not being guilty of anything other than the fact that you'll show up to your arraignment to a judge. >> Where do I sign? Where do I exit at? >> Wait right over there by the wood. Wait right over there for your trespass. You got three charges today. One for netting inside the lock area, another for having no finally divided ice on the fish and another for not having them covered from the elements quality control. You have court date on the 15th of May. >> one? >> Not covered from the elements quality control. You have court date on the 15th of May. You just sign right there. You sign there not admitting >> working on the 15th of May. >> You're going to have to change it. >> What can we just change this? >> Can't. You're not supposed to go to get surgery. Well, you can call the the clerk of court and see if they'll do it for you. If you get the little paperwork, they might do it. If they don't, >> Okay. >> then you have to show up. >> Well, I'm trying to lose this weight. And then, is there anything I can do for him? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. >> You got more for me, too. >> Okay. >> First one's going to be a citation for your life jacket. You just sign right there. You sign there not admitting guilt. You'll pay $90 quick quick in 30 days. >> Okay. And I can contest this, too? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. >> This is for not having your registration. >> And I can contest that, too? >> You can contest that. >> Okay. >> And this one's for the vessel numbers. >> And I can contest that, too? >> You can contest that, either. Additionally, Sheriff County Sheriff's Office is trespassing you for life from the dock. The whole entire lock area. So, from that wood end to that wood end. >> Okay. >> You can't even transit the area, cuz that's trespassing. >> Okay. >> If you're caught trespassing, you know what the next step is. >> Yeah, chill. >> It's fine. So, he's going to give you your paperwork, and then as soon as he gives you your paperwork, hop in your boat. >> A wife for life? >> You've already gotten a one-year one already. >> No, I didn't. >> Yeah, you did last year. It's in the system. >> Is it? >> Yep. >> I never got these papers. >> You did. It's on camera. You've already reviewed that. So, as soon as he's done with that, >> So, >> Here you go. Here you >> Oh, okay. >> As soon as he's done with that, you're going to hop in your boat, and you're going to transit out the lock, and you're not going to come back. >> Okay. >> All right? Any questions? Any questions? >> No, you're pretty clear. >> Now, before we get into the charges from the featured interaction, I want to give you a little more history on them and their interactions with FWC. Based on the officer's report, the captain has had 24 different field intelligence reports filed against him all for netting issues. This included five boating citations, six written warnings, and seven notices to appear for criminal charges all due to illegal commercial activity. He's also listed in the master name index as a threat to law enforcement and a repeat violator. The deckhand isn't quite as interesting. He has one field intelligence report written on him, two warnings, and three citations. So, as part of the featured encounter, the captain received three criminal charges. The first charge was for failing to prevent contamination because the fish were left out on the deck and exposed to the elements. The second charge was no adequate refrigeration or finally divided ice. And the third was for fishing with the net within the lock system. As part of a negotiated plea deal, he played no contest to the first two charges and was adjudicated guilty. Surprise. He was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to pay $895 in costs and fines, which he later paid. And he also had to do five hours of community service. The captain also received various citations for things like registration numbers, but those were all later dismissed. Probably as part of the plea deal. The deckhand received the same three charges and pled no contest to just the ice charge and his adjudication was withheld. He was ordered to pay $315 in costs and fines, which he later paid. So, that's it for today's video, but we want to know what you think. Do you think they should have gone to jail? Do you think the equipment should have been seized? Maybe the nets. Let us know down in the comments below and if you like fishing content like this, be sure to check out our other channel where it's completely dedicated to fishing and wildlife interactions. As always, thanks for watching. [music]

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