Man arrested in illegal lobster case day before mini season

A 43-year-old Houston, Texas man was arrested Monday afternoon on a litany of lobster violations after he was caught poaching them in Islamorada.

Yuliver Rodriguez-Tejeda was charged with 14 counts of possession of out-of-season lobsters, 14 counts of possession of wrung lobster tails on the water, 10 counts of possession of undersized lobster, possessing over-the-bag-limit lobsters and tampering with evidence.

Marine Deputy Nelson Sanchez was on patrol when he spotted two snorkelers and a boat at 2 p.m. bayside near Mile Marker 76. He also saw a personal watercraft operator go to the snorkelers several times over the course of an hour to retrieve what appeared to be a bag in the water, go to land and return to the snorkelers. Deputy Sanchez went to stop the boat with the snorkelers.

One of the snorkelers, later identified as Rodriguez-Tejeda, removed lobster tails from his dive skin and dumped them in the water.

The personal watercraft operator went to the other snorkeler and took him to shore whereupon the other snorkeler fled on foot.

Deputy Sanchez radioed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for assistance.

Deputy Sanchez was able to detain Rodriguez-Tejeda.

The FWC removed illegal 14 lobster tails from shallow water where Deputy Sanchez saw Rodriguez-Tejeda dump them.

Rodriguez-Tejeda was taken to jail.

More arrests and charges may be pending.

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