Merritt Island man gets probation, loses boat for killing manatee

[DainBramaged]

In what officials said they believe to be the first federal criminal prosecution in Florida for striking and killing a manatee with a boat, a Merritt Island man was sentenced Wednesday for killing a sea cow while zipping through a manatee slow zone.


Joseph Miata Jr., 62, who had been cited repeatedly for speeding through manatee zones, had to forfeit his $5,500, 20-foot boat to the federal government and pay a $600 donation to a wildlife conservation group.

"This is the first time that we're aware of that we ever prosecuted someone for a lethal take," said Chuck Underwood, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Miata was criminally charged by the United States Attorney's Office, Orlando Division, in October for violating the Endangered Species Act. The manatee was killed as he sped through Sykes Creek last summer.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110203/NEWS01/102030311/1086/Merritt+Island+man+gets+probation++loses+boat+for+killing+manatee

[ellenfl]

1. good! don't give him back his boat. eom

[Kennah]

7. Just give him the anchor and the chain

[ellenfl]

8. good plan! eom

[Mojorabbit]

2. Wonderful news! nt

[liberal N proud]

3. Boaters are all fully aware of those speed zones

Manatees are such neat animals, they do not deserve the treatment man has given them.

[lpbk2713]

4. Repeat offender.

Maybe now he'll pay attention if he ever gets another chance.

[superduperfarleft]

5. Hey, actions have consequences.

Score one for personal responsibility.

[BlueJazz]

6. The son-of-a-bitch would be in jail if I had anything to do with it.

Anybody who has seen these gentle, loving creatures would feel the same.
They don't hurt anybody and are friendly as kittens.
.
.
.

[Kennah]

9. In some places, they shoot poachers

[Citizen Worker]

10. Meanwhile the Bush gang goes free. Yep, we are a nation of laws and not men.

[Rage for Order]

11. Can we please stop with this tired canard?

You are implying that no crime should be punished until the entire Bush junta is in prison. Do you think the local Fish & Game warden in Florida should have arrested George Bush in Dallas rather than arresting this guy with his boat in Florida?

Jeezus!



:argh: