Two Florida teenagers, seen in a generally released video disposing of garbage into the Atlantic Ocean from a boat, turned themselves into authorities on Friday, facing a felony pollution liability, according to officials and court documents.
Teens Dumping Trash into Atlantic Captured in Viral Video
As reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the indicted persons, aged 15 from Gulf Stream and 16 from Boynton Beach, are accused of one offense each of causing contamination that poses a danger to human health, well-being, wildlife, vegetation, aquatic life, or property.
The accusation is categorized as a third-degree felony and, if sentenced, carries the highest punishment of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine, according to the detention report.
FWC chairman Rodney Barreto declared in a Friday announcement that such disrespect for Florida's environment won't be permissible.
"This incident serves as a lesson for all involved-Florida's natural resources are invaluable, and it's our collective responsibility to safeguard them," he noticed.
The occurrence transpired on Sunday at Boca Inlet as the boaters were departing from the annual Boca Bash, as stated by the FWC. The video, shared by content creator Wavy Boats on YouTube, displays two individuals discarding trash bins filled with garbage into the ocean.
The boat's driver, the 15-year-old, disposed of items including plastic water bottles, cans, food bags, plastic cups, and other miscellaneous objects, according to the arrest report.
The report stated how, after the direct disposal of the basket's contents into the water, he was noticed raising the basket over his head and frequently pumping it up and down, seemingly celebrating the act of dumping the garbage.
Throughout the footage, drone footage depicts pollutants scattered across the ocean's surface, dispersed by rough waves and wind, the arrest report indicated. The video also shows the 16-year-old dumping trash bin contents into the ocean.
Florida Teens Surrendered, Face Felony Pollution Charges
An FWC investigator visited the registered boat owner's residence on Tuesday. The person determining himself as the 15-year-old's dad declared they were in the process of looking for legal counsel, as per the report. According to the arrest report, the father stated that the incident did not reflect their true character.
On Wednesday, the investigator spoke with the other suspect's father by phone, who also mentioned seeking legal advice.
It wasn't immediately evident on Friday night who was representing the teens. The Palm Beach County state attorney's office representative could not be reached for comment.
FWC also interviewed several witnesses on the boat who identified the suspects, according to the arrest report. In a statement, one of the involved teen's parents apologized to those affected and expressed cooperation with authorities.
The statement expressed profound remorse for the incident at Boca Bash and emphasized a strong commitment to ocean and community stewardship. The family agreed that the occurrence served as a teaching moment for the youths involved, suggesting they participate in community service and ocean conservation efforts.
Boca Bash organizers posted on Facebook Tuesday, condemning the behavior seen in the video as not representative of the event. They expressed hope that the repercussions would serve as a public warning on the importance of preserving Florida's waters.
Related Article: First American Woman To Finish Solo Sailboat Race Around the World Nonstop in 130 Days
