The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested two people for illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries.
On Monday, August 26, 2024, HCSO's Agriculture Crimes Unit followed up on a tip from a property owner who witnessed trespassers harvesting palmetto berries on their property in the 5000 block of US Highway 41.
The owner provided a photo of the suspect's vehicle, which allowed our deputies to locate Heladio Gonzalez-Hernandez, 39, and Maria Hernandez-Santiago, 42, at a residence in Plant City. They were arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Gonzalez-Hernandez was charged with the following:
- Possession or Exchange of Unlawfully Harvested Saw Palmetto Berries
- Unlawful Destruction or Harvest of Saw Palmetto Berries
Hernandez-Santiago was charged with the following:
- Possession or Exchange of Unlawfully Harvested Saw Palmetto Berries
- Unlawful Destruction or Harvest of Saw Palmetto Berries
"I could not be more proud of the work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does here in our community, standing as a frontline defender for our county's natural resources," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Their commitment ensures that these resources are protected from reckless exploitation, protecting the future of our habitats and preserving the environment for generations to come."
The illegally harvested berries weighed 801 pounds.
This is an ongoing investigation; all further information will come from the Public Affairs Office.
