Two business owners in St. Petersburg, Florida, face felony charges after state wildlife officials say they scattered around 1,500 toxic mothballs on St. Pete Beach in April, allegedly to prevent imperiled black skimmer birds from nesting near their businesses. The men—Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel, and Christopher Monroe, owner and manager of Chris’ Beachside Bar—were arrested after a months-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Wildlife officials first responded to St. Pete Beach on April 20, after reports of more than 1,000 mothballs found behind the Plaza Beach Hotel. The next day, another 500 mothballs were discovered in the same spot. Volunteers from the Audubon Society and local advocacy groups assisted in removing the chemicals before the black skimmers arrived for nesting season.
Investigators said surveillance footage, cell phone data, and receipt records from a local Walmart linked Czyszczon and Monroe to the purchase and placement of the mothballs. Text messages between the men showed they were concerned about losing up to $50,000 in business if the birds nested behind the hotel, and they discussed ways to prevent the birds from returning…