Alexander Rust, a 24-year-old from Indiana, and Vanessa Palm, a 23-year-old from Illinois, pled guilty to charges of possessing undeveloped conch and taking a prohibited wild species.
The pair told Magistrate Ivan Ferguson they did not know the animal was protected. Ferguson excused Palm but ordered Rust to pay fines or serve jail time.
Rust was fined $800 or four months for the conch charge and $200 or two months for the iguana charge.
Bahamas National Trust Director Eric Carey said he was pleased that the pair were convicted but disappointed that they did not get the maximum penalties - $5,000 or one year for the conch and $300 or six months for the iguana.
Carey wants two other men, also shown in the photographs, to be charged. Police say they are still investigating.
-Tribune (Page A03)
1 comments:
I too would like for all parties involved to have been charged but I'm satisfied simply with the awareness that this case has caused.
I think the local fine for such crimes regarding the iguana should be increased.
It would be beneficial to the diminishing conch population if we could be more active and efficient in enforcing the laws regarding their protection.