Officials arrested David W. Dreifort, 41, of Cudjoe Key, for his involvement in an out-of-season lobstering operation that included use of illegal lobster traps placed in the protected Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and the stockpiling of approximately 1,500 pounds of lobster tail.

Dreifort was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 6 after an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). If convicted, Dreifort faces up to five years of prison as well as criminal fines and penalties under the Lacey Act.

Agents became aware of a group constructing artificial lobster habitats, often referred to informally called “casitas,” in the Lower Keys. In an affidavit by Special Agent Kenneth Blackburn, Blackburn reported following a boat owned by Dreifort to different locations in the FKNMS and harvesting spiny lobsters on July 26. After marking the locations on GPS and returning to the same locations later, divers found illegal lobster traps and lobster body parts lying on the ocean floor.

Florida law specifically prohibits the harvest of any spiny lobster from artificial habitat (with the exception of the lobster mini-season July 30, 31). The lobster traps used by Dreifort fall within the category of artificial habitats. Other regulations prohibit any person from commercially harvesting, attempting to harvest, or having in their possession (regardless of where taken) any spiny lobster during the closed season. The official start of lobster season begins August 6.

Officials searched Dreifort’s home, residence and vessel to find close to 1,500 pounds of lobster tail. The 1,500 pounds of frozen lobster tail represents more than 1,000 times the legal bag limit for the recent lobster mini-season. All vessels, trailers, vehicles and equipment used to execute the criminal act were seized under Lacey Act regulations. At up to $20 a pound, the seized lobster tails (which tallied close to 6,000) could have been sold for about $30,000.