Two Florida business owners are facing serious legal trouble after allegedly tossing thousands of toxic mothballs onto a popular beach to scare away an endangered bird species, and now they could be locked up for years.
The bizarre case began in late April when stunned beachgoers spotted the small white pellets scattered across the sugary sand of St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg.
Volunteers from the Audubon Society and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission quickly swooped in, scooping up about 1,000 mothballs behind the Plaza Beach Hotel. But the next morning, 500 more appeared overnight.
The smelly, pesticide-filled balls were found right where black skimmers—a protected shorebird species—were trying to build a nesting colony. Officials feared the chemicals could harm both wildlife and children playing nearby. Investigators went to work, combing through surveillance footage, phone records, and even terabytes of data to track down who was responsible.
Their search led them to Christopher Monroe, owner of Chris’s Beachside Bar, and Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel. According to authorities, the two men allegedly hatched a plan to use the mothballs to drive the birds away, worried that the nests would scare off tourists and cost them thousands in lost revenue. Text messages reportedly revealed one of them complaining about losing $25,000 to $50,000.
Both men now face third-degree felony charges for illegal dumping and misdemeanor counts for allegedly harassing an imperiled species. If convicted, each could spend up to five years in prison, pay $5,000 in fines, and serve five years of probation. They are currently out on bond.
Experts warn that mothballs contain pesticides that can be dangerous to people and animals, and using them outdoors is illegal. The delayed nesting could leave young birds vulnerable to late-season hurricanes. With the case still unfolding, one question lingers: was a few thousand dollars really worth risking the safety of a protected species and the community?
