Monroe County judge has issued an arrest warrant for a Maryland man

A Monroe County judge has issued an arrest warrant for a Maryland man allegedly seen in an online video harassing a state and federally protected pelican.

Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Koenig signed the warrant on March 13 seeking the arrest of William Hunter Hardesty 31, of Riva, Maryland. It charges him with one count of intentional feeding of pelicans, two counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and two counts of animal cruelty. Lieutenant Joshua Peters with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission applied for the warrant from the judge.

Based on Peters’ investigation, he wrote in his application for the warrant that “I have probable cause that Mr. William Hunter Hardesty violated the following:

“Florida Administrative Code 68A-4.001 (5) by placing food that attracted a pelican and modified the natural behavior of the pelican so as to be detrimental to the survival or health of the local population.

“The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, (16 U.S.C. Sections 703-711 and 16 U.S.C. Section 712), which was adopted by Florida Administrative Code 68A-16.001 (1)( a), by capturing and/ or possessing a migratory bird on two separate incidents.

“Florida Statute 828.12 Cruelty to animals, by tormenting an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner on two separate incidents.”

The video was posted to Hardesty’s Facebook page the first week of March and apparently created March 5. It shows a man at a Key West sea wall dangling food to the pelican. It then shows him jumping into the water onto the pelican and grabbing it. The man let go of it only when the pelican bit him in the face.

“I will continue to aggressively prosecute crimes involving our treasured natural resources.” State Attorney Dennis Ward said. “Our fish, lobster, stone crab, Key deer and now our pelicans. These and other resources are what draw people to our Paradise. I will ensure that these resources will be around for our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future generations.”

Judge Koenig set total bond at $80,000 upon Hardesty’s arrest.

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