Criminal Tree Clearing at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Haven't hear anything. Why?

They have been identified and I think that Florida Fish and Wildlife are supposed to be handling it. Sounds like they are affiliated with the Cypress Dunes HOA.

Sounds like Cypress Dunes just doesnt want to take NO for an answer regarding a walkover for their subdivision THROUGH the state park.

Lock em up!

Super creepy

That neighborhood is quickly becoming a laughing stock. What a bunch of maroons.

Bark Lives Matter

There is a petition going around that will be sent to Gov. Desantis asking to maximize the penalty on these people. I do believe there is a fine for cutting down state preserve trees somewhere in the range of 1500.00 per tree. I say jack that up to 5K per tree and fine the hell out of the whole HOA. In fact, sue them all and throw the perpetrators in jail.
People these days are unbelievable. Just because they couldn`t get there way, this is what they resort to. If you don`t like where your living -- MOVE OUTTA HERE

Do state parks employ prison labor? Give em all orange jumpsuits and put a rake in their hands.

This is also all over NextDoor. The link for the petition is:

https://www.change.org/p/governor-d...ed_by_id=2ca08440-a41f-11ea-949c-f34118d99dc3

It also has the video in the link. It's reprehensible, to say the least. The quartet were cutting down trees, IN A STATE PARK, to give themselves a (better) gulf view. Apparently they have been identified and an investigation is ongoing. Please check out the above site.

I bet they would flatten a Dune and build on top of it if they could afford it.

Anyone have an update on this? Looks like over 6,000 signatures on the petition.

Anyone have an update on this? Looks like over 6,000 signatures on the petition.

I know FWC has identified them, building a multifaceted case. That is about all I can say, but, believe me when I tell you that I think this will make them quite remorseful. :ninja:

Two people have been charged in connection to the damage done to Topsail Hill State Park in Walton County

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Michelle Glantz and Emory Gaultney are charged with trespassing, property damage, and multiple conservation violations, among other charges.

Back in June, neighbors confronted the people who were caught on camera cutting down trees in the state park.

Charges made after trees cut down at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Video of the alleged (but definitely cowardly) criminals:




GAULTNEY EMORY HAROLD was arrested in Walton County, Florida.

Additional Information:

dob

1944-11-20

age

75 years old

height

6′ 1″

race

White

sex

Male

Charges: (We only list the first 3)

Conservation-Environment – Harvest Endangered Plant Without Permit

Conservation – Viol Level 2 FWC Rule Or Reg 1st Offense

Commit Grand Theft Damage Over 1000 Dols

GLANTZ MICHELLE ELAINE was arrested in Walton County, Florida.

Additional Information:

dob

1954-05-09

age

66 years old

height

5′ 0″

weight

130.0 lbs

race

White

Charges: (We only list the first 3)

Conservation-Environment – Harvest Endangered Plant Without Permit

Conservation-Environment – Harvest Endangered Plant Without Permit

Conservation-Environment – Harvest Endangered Plant Without Permit

What a way to spend your golden years. I hope that the State of Florida stays resolute and they get the maximum penalty. They should also push a lot of press to set an example of what happens when you mess with our protected lands. Horrible!

She's wearing a MAGA hat, are we shocked?

Emory Gaultney and Michele Glantz were familiar with the state forest property they are accused of destroying, warrants for their arrests show. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said more arrests in the case are expected.

Gaultney and Glantz face felony theft and felony criminal mischief charges. They also face a first-degree misdemeanor charge of trespassing and 27 charges of violating conservation regulations, including regulations impacting migratory birds and endangered species, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission news release.

The pair were immediately recognized by park staff when investigators presented video footage of Gaultney and Glantz clearing trees inside the boundaries of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, the warrants say.

Gaultney's wife "was the president of the citizens' group that volunteers for the park," the warrant for his arrest said. "The night the incident was posted on social media, she contacted the park manager to tender her resignation." [She's also president of the Cypress Dunes HOA. The HOA has been leading the decade long but thus far unsuccessful fight to get a walkover to the beach built in the preserve. It would pretty much only benefit residents of Cypress Dunes.]

The clear cutting within the state forest boundaries took place May 30 and four people, including Gaultney and Glantz, were caught on video by a neighbor who confronted them.

Debris left from the cutting covered gopher tortoise nests and the clearing destroyed habitat of the endangered Choctawhatchee beach mouse and the threatened American kestrel, the warrants said.

The clear cutting also affected 18 species of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treat Act.

Suspects in Florida state park tree cutting well known to park staff

Two arrested in for destroying woodlands within Florida state park

Here is an out of state example of a similar incident ..

https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article246393495.html