St. Pete Beach owners charged for allegedly dumping mothballs near bird nests

Key Points:

• Two Florida business owners, Christopher Monroe and Robert Czyszczon, have been charged with third-degree felonies for allegedly spreading about 1,500 toxic mothballs on St. Pete Beach to deter endangered black skimmer birds from nesting nearby.
• If convicted, they face up to five years in prison, fines up to $5,000, and up to five years of probation; they were motivated by fears of losing revenue due to bird nesting restrictions.
• Investigators used surveillance, receipts, cellphone data, and incriminating text messages to link the men to the illegal dumping and harassment of the imperiled bird species.
• The pesticide in the mothballs poses risks to wildlife and humans, and while the birds were likely not physically harmed, the harassment delayed their nesting, potentially endangering their young during hurricane season.
• Both men are out on bond, with charges including illegal dumping and attempted harassment of a state-listed imperiled species; legal representatives have not provided comments.