Tourist sentenced to jail for picking conches off Florida Keys beach

She stole seashells: Tourist is sentenced to 15 days in jail for picking conches off a Florida Keys beach even though ‘she didn’t realize it was illegal’

  • Diana Fiscal-Gonzalez, 30, ordered to serve 15 days in Monroe County jail
  • Fiscal-Gonzalez pleaded no contest to taking 40 queen conchs in Florida Keys
  • She was also ordered to pay a $500 fine as well as $268 for court costs 

A Texas woman has been sentenced to 15 days in jail for taking 40 queen conchs in the Florida Keys.

Diana Fiscal-Gonzalez, 30, was sentenced last week after pleading no contest to taking the mollusks, the Miami Herald reported. 

She must also pay a $500 fine plus $268 for court costs. 

The judge withheld adjudication, meaning she won’t have a criminal conviction on her record.

Officer John Martino of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found Fiscal-Gonzalez with the conchs

Diana Fiscal-Gonzalez (left), 30, was sentenced last week to 15 days in a Florida jail for taking 40 queen conchs in the Florida Keys. Officer John Martino of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found Fiscal-Gonzalez with the conchs

The officer photographed the conchs and returned them to the ocean. Most were still alive

The officer photographed the conchs and returned them to the ocean. Most were still alive

A Florida wildlife officer arrested the Dallas woman last July outside a Key West home, where she had the state-protected animals in three plastic containers. 

The officer photographed the conchs and returned them to the ocean. Most were still alive.

Fiscal-Gonzalez said she was taking the conchs for gifts and didn’t realize it was illegal.

She must report to the Monroe County jail Aug. 10.

 

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