CARRABELLE, Fla. (CBS12) — A multi-year undercover investigation into the poaching of sea turtles and other marine wildlife led to charges against 10 people, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office announced.

On Monday, Uthmeier joined officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local law enforcement to announce charges against 10 people accused of running an illegal commercial fishing operation.

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“Those who abuse our waters and wildlife will find out how tough our laws are. The Office of Statewide Prosecution, FWC, and our local law enforcement officers will ensure criminals are caught and punished,” Uthmeier said.

The group is accused of poaching about 23,000 pounds of fish and illegally selling more than $150,000 worth of fish, shrimp and turtles.

The 10 people charged include:

Kayla Ann Boak, 36, of Bradenton — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and cheating.Terry Stephen Carrington Jr., 40, of Port St. Joe — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.David Eugene Echterling, 60, of Eastpoint — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles and cheating.Anthony Emmett Folsom, formerly known as Anthony Land, 22, of Carrabelle — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.Steven Hawley, 68, of Eastpoint — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles and cheating.Curtis Randolph Morse, 45, of Gibsonton — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles and cheating.Jordan Neylan, also known as Cagie, 31, of Apalachicola — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.Robert Register, 40, of Carrabelle — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.Joe Frank Tessa III, 44, of Largo — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.Casey Lee Whitlock II, 20, of Crawfordville — racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating.

Authorities said Carrington, Folsom and Neylan also caught protected sea turtles and sold five of them — three adults and two hatchlings — to undercover officers.

The investigation began in May 2022 after investigators received complaints about reef fish poaching in the Gulf of America. Investigators alleged the group routinely caught more red snapper and gag grouper than allowed, then dodged reporting requirements by selling fish dockside at night, from their homes or through on-the-water handoffs.

If convicted as charged, Boak and Morse each face up to 65 years in prison. Echterling, Hawley, Register, Tessa and Whitlock each face up to 70 years, while Carrington, Folsom and Neylan each face up to 75 years.