MARATHON, Fla. – A South Florida man was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail for lifting an endangered sea turtle out of the water in the Florida Keys.
Carlos Argenis Hernandez was arrested in July 2015 after photos showed him lifting the turtle out of the water and placing it on a coral rock.
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He appeared to be snorkeling in the water when he came across the turtle.
Others can be seen in the photos taking pictures of the turtle and sitting on coral rock next to it.
All species of sea turtles are protected in the U.S. under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act prohibit anyone from disturbing, taking or selling marine turtles, nests or eggs.
Hernandez was sentenced for knowingly disturbing a sea turtle.