FLORIDA — A 53-year-old man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he was found with drugs and sea turtle eggs in his vehicle.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Wesley Winters was arrested Sunday after a deputy spotted him parked in front of a Beverly Beach home he was prohibited from visiting due to a temporary no-contact order.
Deputies said they found a tray on the vehicle’s floorboard containing several sand-covered orbs later identified as sea turtle eggs. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was called to the scene.
Investigators also reported finding methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, an alprazolam pill, marijuana bowls, and a THC vape pen.
Before FWC officers arrived, Winters allegedly told deputies he had collected the eggs from eroded nests, believing they were nonviable after seeing them wash down the beach.
Winters was charged by the sheriff’s office with possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, alprazolam, marijuana (20 grams or less), drug paraphernalia, and violation of a no-contact order.
FWC later charged him with five misdemeanor counts of knowingly possessing 11 or fewer marine turtle eggs and five felony counts of taking, disturbing, mutilating, or destroying marine turtle eggs.
