BOCA RATON, Fla. – Two teens have been charged after video showing them dumping out two trashcans from a boat off the shores of Boca Raton sparked intense scrutiny.
Nearly a week after the video went viral, the Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission announced two juveniles have turned themselves in.
Authorities charged both 16-year-old Michael Kirby and 15-year-old Charles Ruth with third degree felony cause pollution.
The video captured by drone on Sunday shows a group of young people on a boat in the Boca Inlet illegally dumping two trash cans of garbage into ocean.
A trail of trash could be seen floating in the water while one of the boaters posed for the passing drone as the boat headed back to the popular event called Boca Bash.
FWC launched its investigation a day after the video was posted.
In a statement, FWC investigators said they quickly identified two of the juveniles.
As swells of backlash grew, many demanded someone be held accountable.
The two teens said to have polluted the waters have since turned themselves in to authorities, FWC said in its statement, to face the consequences for violating the laws related to polluting the waters.
The chairman of FWC Rodney Barreto wrote, in part:
“This is a teaching moment for all those involved—Florida’s natural resources are precious, and we should all do our part to protect them.”
Additionally, the family of one of the teens released a statement following the arrests.
“We take the responsibility of caring for our oceans and our community very seriously, and we are extremely saddened by what occurred last weekend at Boca Bash. We want to extend our sincerest apologies to everyone who has been impacted and rightfully upset by what occurred.
“Our family and our counsel have remained in touch with FWC since we were first contacted by them and have continued to cooperate with all authorities.
“As a family, we agree with FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto that this is a teaching moment for the young kids involved and they should certainly participate in community service and ocean conservation efforts to deepen their understanding of the importance of our community and environment.”
The parents of one of the young teens involved
The felony charges that the teens are facing carry up to a $50,000 fine and up to five years in jail.