A Florida man remains behind bars after police said he caught and then ate a protected species of sea snails near the coast of Key West.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they charged Burley David Smith, 67, with a felony for catching and consuming two queen conchs while the suspect was fishing on Wisteria Island.
Mr. Smith is still being held in the Monroe County jail on a $21,500 bond following his arrest Friday.
The fish and wildlife agency said officers responded to reports of a man eating the protected species on the island, which is undeveloped and frequented by vagrants.
Police said a witness told them a man caught the conches and then cooked and ate the sea snails at his campsite.
When the officers went to speak with the man, he became confrontational and “refused to cooperate,” police said. Authorities said the man resisted arrest before he was ultimately taken into custody.
Officers reported finding two empty conch shells next to a pot and an active fire.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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