FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2004
CONTACT: Lt. Jim Ramer, (813) 744-6100, EXT. 446

Manatee County Man Arrested for Illegal Dredging

LONGBOAT KEY –Manatee County resident Raymond Luther Guthrie III, age 30, was arrested by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) agents for illegal dredging activity in the City of Longboat Key.

Working in cooperation with the City of Longboat Key Police, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department and the State Attorney’s Office, DEP’s investigation revealed Guthrie was illegally operating a dredging vessel for profit. The unauthorized dredging impacted the submerged lands and seagrass beds in the Longboat Key community.

Upon arrest, Guthrie’s dredging vessel was seized. If found guilty of the felony charge, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, a fine of $5,000 and the cost of restoring the damaged areas. No court date has been set.

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