Welcome to Arrest Stories. A fifty-three-year-old Florida man faces multiple drug charges and wildlife violations after deputies discovered him sleeping in a van with sea turtle eggs and various controlled substances in Beverly Beach. Here's what may have happened.
On Sunday morning in Beverly Beach, Flagler County deputies made an unusual discovery when they found Wesley Winters asleep in his van parked outside a residence where he was prohibited from being due to a temporary no-contact order. The situation quickly escalated from a potential restraining order violation to a complex case involving protected wildlife and multiple drug charges.
When deputies approached the vehicle and woke Winters, they immediately noticed several white and tan orbs covered in sand sitting in a tray on the floorboard between the suspect's feet. Deputies quickly identified these sand-covered spheres as sea turtle eggs, a protected species under Florida law. A marijuana bowl was also discovered on the ground next to the van.
During questioning, Winters told officials that "the eggs were from two nests that had eroded away, and he had picked them up after seeing them washing down the beach." He claimed "he knew the eggs were unhatched but believed they were nonviable" after witnessing them wash down the shoreline from damaged nests.
The investigation expanded when deputies conducted a more thorough search of the vehicle and Winters' person. They uncovered a concerning array of controlled substances including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and an alprazolam pill. Additional drug paraphernalia was also seized, including marijuana bowls and a THC vape pen.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were called to the scene to handle the sea turtle egg violation, as these eggs are strictly protected under state and federal law regardless of their viability. Even collecting eggs believed to be nonviable from eroded nests constitutes a serious wildlife violation.
Winters now faces multiple charges including possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and alprazolam, along with the wildlife violations related to the sea turtle eggs.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.