An officer with Florida Fish and Wildlife responded to a call from a concerned citizen in reference to a diver in possession of a speared Goliath grouper. The reporting party provided the officers with photographs of the suspect along with images of the grouper. Upon arrival, the officer [music] attempted to contact the suspect. According to the report, the suspect spotted the officer approaching, placed the fish and spear gun back into the kayak and began to flee into the water. >> Hey, stop. 9317 May 97 with subject. He's in the water fleeing. Get over here. Do you know him? Do you know him? >> I know him. >> Yeah. >> Yeah? >> You know him? What's your relation? Get over here. AB&O 200 yd south hopping on a beach. Hey. Hey, he fled in the water. Yeah, I see him. I did. I did. All right. 9317 send send unit 9451. 10-4 we got a closer unit 51. >> Approximately a mile and a half south of Atlantic Boulevard A1A on the beach. 9277 signal 14 is got a Goliath grouper. Approximately a mile and a half south Atlantic Boulevard A1A on the beach. Are you his wife? How do you know him? How do you know him? You know him around? Do you know his name? You don't know his first name, last name, anything? What do you know him by? But you weren't with him? You weren't with him in the water? GET OVER HERE NOW! Why you run? You what? Did you do something wrong? WHY DID YOU RUN WHEN YOU SAW ME? All right, get up here. Get up here. Fear what? >> You were running at me. I was like, "Oh, shit." >> I was walking See, you started packing your stuff and then I started running towards you. Come up here. Put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. >> I don't know what Okay, you're under arrest. I walk >> No. >> no idea. >> Hey, look forward. Look forward. >> I swear to you I've not done anything illegal. I swear to you, officer, I have no idea what I'm doing is illegal. I don't know I'm not going to run. I'm not going to run. >> Why are you detaining me now? >> I don't know. Why am I detaining you? Hold on 1 second. I'm not running. I'm not going to run. I'm normal. I'm just going to watch this. 9317 barred. Sit down. >> right. Okay. >> You got anything on you? >> No. No. No. >> No knives? Anything? >> No. No. No. Oh. Oh. Feel. >> Show subject 10-15. Water unit 66. >> I don't have anything. Um I'm good. I'm up up up innocent citizen. >> I just do I'm not doing anything illegal. >> Sit down on your butt. 9317 show subject 10-15 66 water units. What did you have in the What did you have in the kayak? What did you dump out there? >> It was just a big grouper. >> Big grouper? What kind of grouper? >> I don't know. It's just big grouper. >> Why Why did you dump it when I came? >> Cuz I thought I thought you were running at me. I just panicked and I swam off. >> Panicked because of what? >> Cuz I see a cop running at me. I don't know. >> I was walking towards you. You started grabbing your stuff in your kayak and fled to the water. Once you started putting your stuff in there, I started running. Because you threw that fish back in the water. That's interference with an FWC officer. >> I didn't know. >> Where did you dump that fish? >> It just swam off. >> It swam off? It wasn't dead? I got pictures. Okay. >> It was flapping. >> All right. >> It was breathing. >> I'm going to read this to you now. >> Okay. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to consult with an attorney and have an attorney present during questioning. >> Okay. Can I sit up? Can I sit up? >> No. Sit. Sit down. >> Okay. Can I sit up? Can I >> Sit here. Where? >> Right here. >> You want to scoot up? We can scoot up, but you're sitting down. >> sit up? Can I sit >> No. >> You can go. >> You want to put your legs out? That's fine. No. Sit on your butt. >> Is this fine? >> No. Legs out front or crisscross. Whatever is better for you. >> There. >> All right. So, you have the right to consult with an attorney and have one present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you before questioning at no cost. Do you understand these rights? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me now? No? Okay. I I can't talk to you until you answer my question. Until he answers. So, with these rights, do you understand the rights? You want me to read them again? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. You have the right to remain silent. Do you understand these rights? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Hold on 1 second. When you ran, a lot of units came. Hey ma'am, do you mind just having a seat for me, too? Yes, ma'am. Just just sit down right there. If you can, just give me a couple minutes while I get a couple of other couple units come. That way we can No. We're going to stay separated for right now. Who is she? >> My girlfriend. >> She's your girlfriend? Okay. Do you have an ID on you? Do you Do you have a Florida driver's license? Not on you, but but have one. >> Okay. There's no reason to panic. I was walking up. So, what kind of fish was it? >> It was just a big red grouper. >> What kind of grouper? But worst comes to worst, if it's an if it's an undersized grouper or out of season, worst-case scenario, it's a ticket and you're out of here. But you made this a situation a lot worse. >> Why? >> Why did you flee? Yep, that's no excuse. When when you get stopped on the road and the cops with their lights and sirens on, do you do you go ahead and speed away? All right, what's your first name? What's your first name? >> Um Juan. Juan. J U A N. >> Ma'am, do you have an ID on you? >> No. >> No? Do you have a Florida driver's license? Not necessarily on you, but have one. >> I have a Illinois license. >> Illinois? Okay, no problem. >> Yeah, but I have a Florida fishing license. >> Okay. What's your first name? >> Uh Christine. >> Who Who caught the grouper? >> Me. >> You caught the grouper? Okay. >> Did she run, too? What? Did both run? >> No. >> No. >> No, he ran. >> He he he's Mirandized. He admitted to catching the grouper or he dumped it. >> He dumped it? >> Yeah, it fell off, so. It was flopping. It was still flopping. >> So, you dumped it. >> It's in motion. >> Even though you speared it. >> Yeah. >> And you dumped it. >> Yeah, it was dead. It was dead. >> Yeah. >> No, it was dead. We saw it. We saw pictures. All right, I'm not playing that game. Whatever. >> It was still flopping. >> Okay, cool. >> It was still flopping. >> Your ID. >> All right, his name is Deal Beast. >> Perfect. You did it. You did everything. >> He admitted everything. >> Okay, who is she? >> His girlfriend. >> His girlfriend? >> Yes. >> Okay. Where's the spear gun? >> It's Where would you >> You dumped it. Awesome. >> No, it fell off. >> It fell off? Huh? >> All right, look, I don't know if he flipped it or if it flipped. >> He flipped it. Who stopped that? >> There's It's all his. There's a bunch of stuff in the water right there. >> Where? >> Probably about in 15, 20 ft of water. I don't know if the dive team is able to get it. >> Where at? Where did he flip it? >> Right out here. >> Straight out? >> Uh probably halfway between here and the and the buoy. >> Where did you Where did you dump the fish? >> I just panicked. >> Okay. Where did you dump the fish? >> Right out here. When it was here, it was still flopping. >> Okay, I don't believe it. Where did you see it? >> If you dump the water, I'm under arrest? >> You are going to jail today. >> What? >> Right there. >> What? >> You're under? >> Okay, I understand. >> Cool. >> What? >> I already told you. You're under arrest. You're going to jail. You got multiple charges, okay? >> What did the other guy >> Spearing a Goliath grouper, dumping the grouper, dumping the grouper, dumping your gear. Okay? So, we're not I'm not playing the games with you. >> What if it's attached? >> I'm not playing the games with you. You are right You are under arrest, okay? >> What did the other guy >> Spearing a Goliath grouper, >> What is a grouper? >> Dumping the >> Dumping Dump the grouper. >> He >> They it? >> As soon as I I was walking out >> Where's it at? >> It's about right out here and about 15 ft. He ran out with a kayak, dumped the kayak, dumped the spear gun in the green buoy. He admitted to having a green buoy already. >> You see it? I'll go get it. >> No, I can't see it. As soon as I was probably out right by that blue umbrella, as soon as he saw me. >> I'll go get it. >> Oh, you said by the way too. >> Yeah, I'll go get it. A mask? >> No, I don't have one with me. >> I'm sure maybe the jet ski rental might have a mask or something. >> Where approximately where did you see >> Straight out. It might have drifted a little bit. Between halfway, you see the buoy out there? >> Yeah. >> Halfway. >> Uh, it's kind of far. I was going to wave to it. >> No, I got up to about gunnel trying to get after him and he just took off. >> Hey, that's that's the float right there. >> Yeah, right there. It's floating. >> still attached. >> You see it? >> It's floating right there. No, no, you're dumped. You're dumped. >> No more. I swear to you it was flapping still in my boat. >> Okay, we're we're we're beyond past that point. We're beyond past that point. >> Can you tell me what it was? >> You don't know what it was? So, you Did you shoot at a fish you didn't know what it was? >> A grouper. >> A grouper. >> How many kinds of groupers are there? >> Hey, that's >> It's right there floating. >> Yeah, it's right there. >> I'll go get it. >> Hey. >> So, you saw him and you started paddling out? >> I did. I saw him running. I was like, "Oh my god, I don't even know what this is." >> And then he went the other way? >> Huh? >> And then you you went the other way paddling? >> It's right here and it just dropped. Thought it was a live one and he just took off. >> Okay, if somebody is waving at you, you shouldn't be dropping stuff in the water, right? Apparently right now it's couple charges with goliath groupers cuz it's cuz we got a picture with you. I don't have my phone. It's in the truck. Ignorance is not an answer. If you're going to shoot kill something, you got to know what it is. Yeah, you got to know what you're shooting if you're going to spear fisherman I'm held at a higher regard than regular fisherman because you're actually pulling the trigger. A regular fisherman will catch on the hook and they have the chance to release it. Once you pull that trigger, you're knowing with yourself that you're killing something. >> So once it was stuck and I had nothing else to do but >> There's no such thing as once it's stuck. You pulled the trigger to shoot it. >> I put him up. So as soon as I shot him I was like I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to >> you are saying to yourself I'm going to kill and keep this fish. There is no such thing as spearing a fish and letting it go. >> Well, I couldn't even get it off. See, he's got it. >> Yeah, yeah, you know what he can say. >> Spearfisherman are held at a higher regard than regular fisherman. Because you're actually pulling the Yes, you are. >> Once you pull that trigger, you're knowing yourself that you're killing something. >> So once it was stuck and I had nothing else to do but >> There's no such thing as once it's stuck. You pulled the trigger to shoot it. >> I put him up. Okay. So because as soon as I shot him I was >> As soon as you shoot it you are saying to yourself I'm going to kill and keep this There is no such thing as spearing >> He got it. >> You got your phone? >> Yeah. >> Take a picture of it. That is a big grouper. Well, I got to get wet or you got it? >> It was literally just flapping. So once I speared him, I couldn't get him off. So I didn't know what to do. >> So you didn't know what this was? >> No. >> You said the fish was swimming. >> It was. >> Even though it was dead. >> flapping. >> Oh, yeah, I bet it was. >> Five minutes more what? >> Well, I guess I'll do evidence. Good job. Now I got to go get changed. I want went get it. I said that. Are you by yourself or you with anyone? You with Eric? Okay. You got your ID on you? No? You got that? Okay. Do you have anything on you? No jewelry, nothing like that? Okay. >> Just this. >> Just that? Okay. Is she cool to take this or you need help with this? You got it? Okay. So, you're going to be going to the Broward County Jail. Okay. I'm sorry, what? Yeah, yeah, you can you can come with us or or Yeah, do you have phone or anything? Okay, yeah, I can show you. >> It's I might not have my phone so when I get my property back >> but you won't be able to You won't have it you won't be able to use it now until you get out. >> That's fine but when I get out I'll have it. >> You will have it. >> Is that is that okay? >> If you want to bring it what I would recommend if she wants to grab it, I would shut it off cuz you're going to lose battery with it sitting in storage. Okay. So, if you want to shut the phone off, stay over here. All right, so you don't want your phone? Okay. Sorry, I'm going to go over >> I'm so sorry, dude. >> Open size. How many uh >> speared >> So, is it six? Just a minute on the title home? >> Uh I have more written down in the truck. Plus you got resisting and uh interference. >> Yeah, we're we're we're going to stack all of them. >> So, what if he was like should just let him with a spear gun just let him go or you're saying just the second I pull the trigger that was it? >> Why did you have him on the beach? You've been on the beach >> Cuz >> I couldn't get him off the freaking spear. I didn't know it was illegal. >> were on the beach for a while with that grouper. >> I didn't know it was illegal. So, I just let him go with the gun. >> So, why didn't you pull the trigger if you didn't know? >> I cuz I I swear to you I didn't even know it was illegal. I thought it was a huge grouper. I was >> a fish You got a fishing license? >> Yes, of course. >> Okay. >> So, I was guilty the second I pulled the trigger. >> Guilty possession of that Goliath grouper. >> But, I shot it unknowingly. >> That's not an excuse. >> So, once I realized what it was I just tried to take the spear out and then hopefully it lives. Like, what was I supposed to do? >> You should have known >> Obviously not shooting in the beginning with, but >> If you're going to actively go spearfishing, you need to know what a fish is before you take a shot at it. >> I don't have anything in my pockets. I swear to you. >> Nothing on you, right? >> Not at >> All right, I'm going to search you one more time before you go in the truck. >> fine. >> Stand right there. >> Yep. >> Put your feet No jewelry, right? >> No, I don't I don't feel anything on me. >> Probably. Okay. >> I'll bring the I'll crank AC up a little bit. >> I don't think it's going to fit in that bucket. >> Maybe. >> What kind of fish is that? >> Goliath grouper. >> A big grouper? >> Yeah, it's a grouper. >> Who killed it? >> He's going to go to jail. >> Where is he? >> Yeah, it's going to be a grouper. >> NO, WHERE IS HE? I want TO KICK HIM >> THANK YOU. I got something to keep you warm. $20 to unlock my truck. >> In the end, the suspect was charged with harvesting or landing a Goliath grouper in an area closed to the harvesting of Goliath grouper, harvesting or possessing a Goliath grouper, harvesting a Goliath grouper in or from state waters, possessing a Goliath grouper in or on Florida waters closed to the harvesting of Goliath grouper, resisting an officer without violence, interfering or obstructing an FWC officer, and harvesting Goliath grouper during a closed season. He later entered a misdemeanor diversion program and the charges were later dropped. 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