Possession of sea turtle leads to arrest (of man, not turtle)

(CBS) TAMPA, Fla. - Deputies in Hillsborough County, Fla. arrested a man who they say may be responsible for the theft of sea turtle eggs on Casey Key, CBS affiliate WTSP reports.

Kim Raymond Feaste, 21, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., was charged with possession of a sea turtle, a third degree felony, after authorities went to speak with him on suspicion of stealing sea turtle eggs. He has since been released from the Hillsborough County Jail on a $2,000 bond, the station reports.

A witness reportedly saw a man believed to be Feaste digging up a sea turtle's nest on Aug. 13.

Although Feaste has not been officially charged with the egg theft, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission (FWC) believes he is the person responsible.

Authorities tracked down the 21-year-old at an apartment in Tampa after he was identified through photos released by the FWC that allegedly showed Feaste disturbing the nest. That's when deputies discovered Feaste was in possession of a live loggerhead turtle.

"It's extremely illegal in the State of Florida to possess a sea turtle," said Ofc. Martin. (ed. note: yes, he said "extremely" illegal)

Sea turtles, their eggs, and their nests are protected under state and federal law. Destroying a sea turtle nest or eggs is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or five years in prison.

WTSP went to Feaste's home, but he would not come to the door to explain why he allegedly had the sea turtle in his apartment.