An elderly Archer resident is facing felony charges in court that he killed or wounded protected gopher tortoises on his property.
The man, Wilson Robinson Jr., 70, was charged with one count of intentionally killing or wounding gopher tortoises or their eggs on Sep. 28.
On Aug. 7, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission complained that Robinson hurt the tortoises at his home in Archer on July 21.
No details of what exactly Robinson did to be accused of these charges were available in arrest and court documents other than the complaint by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which stated that Robinson intentionally killed or wounded species designated as endangered, threatened or of special concern.
Robinson did not return phone messages left at his number nor messages left with a friend of his. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission declined to discuss the case. Florida Fish and Wildlife agents investigating the case did not return phone calls.
Robinson was later charged with one felony count on Sep. 28 and was arrested Thursday. He was released Friday on his own recognizance with a $10,000 bond.
An arraignment hearing on Robinson’s case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 2. If Robinson is convicted, Judge James Colaw may impose a fine not to exceed $1,000, plus court costs and fees.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, wild tortoises should not be tampered with unless they are injured or in danger.
“Moving or handling a gopher tortoise can be illegal in Florida and may create a situation where a tortoise cannot be returned home,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Anyone encountering an injured gopher tortoise should take a photo and contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This also goes for tortoises found outside of their habitat or in construction zones. A relocation permit is required before construction can take place 25 feet from a gopher tortoise burrow.
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