Criminal Tree Clearing at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
- Thread starter jodiFL
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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.
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.
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.
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
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
Attachments
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!
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
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
https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article246393495.html