Fwc

[seth16]

I tonight was visited by two officers belonging to the FWC. I do not want to discuss what measures were taken, but i do want to say that i will not take Live rock from the oceans and i advise EVERYONE to do the same. Even though i learned my lesson before they came, now my father has to deal with my mistakes becasue he is legally responsible. SO i will say again...dont take live rock from the oceans. and for anyone that didnt know this, liverock is not rock with only creatures in it, you can have a rock with tons of pods and worms in it, but it is not live rock, if the rock even has sign of algae on it, it is illegal to take.

Thank you
Seth

and dont worry Dan, your dad or you are not in trouble

 

[hexedagain]

You should discuss it in a little more detail. Not to explain everything, but to show what kind of trouble you can get in.
Let others learn from your mistake also. It may be a small step to help in saving our oceans.

 

[mfp4073]

wow. Is this from discussions on the board?

 

[seth16]

TO be honest we dont know exactly what will happen from here. It may blow over, but i dont think it was a warning. The rock had no corals or anything illegal on them, but the rock itself was illegal, and there are fines and jail time for such offenses. I think they will come out agian tomorrow, but as of now, no other news, just that if anyone will get in trouble, it would be my dad.

What the FWC really is looking for to punish to the full extent of the law are the trafficers of LR< and the ones who maliciously take and sell waht they have. I of course did not dfo that, or had any intensions of doing so, and i repeatedly posted of how sorry i was and that it would never happen again. If whoever made the call into the FWC ( and i think i have a good idea who ) really watned em to get int hat much trouble for taking less than a pound of rock and then admitting i was wrong and never doing it again, then man, i am sorry taht you hold that much resent for people. Even the officers said that because of their source, it was proposed that i was some big shot LR theif who took several peices with nice corals like Fans fire corals, and illgal thigns on it, and that i do this often. They said that whoever sent them the lead made it much more than what it really was, so, again, thanks...

for whoever out there doenst know yet

I LEARNED MY LESSON!!!!!!!!!!

(even thought that is like that 50th time i appologized, and the deed is already done, i am still bet that whoever sent the lead in to the FWC, to send out more to cops, FBI, CSI, CNN,....ect, ect... because you dont have anything better to do than to pick on 16 year odl boys who made a mistake)

I WONT TaKE LIVE ROCK AGAIN!!!!!!

OH and to just put things into perspective, anyone who has ever taken a shwll, a peice of wood or concrete, or even a hermit crab that has even a small trace of algae on it or some form of plant or coral life, you are just as unlawful as i am at the moment.

 

[seth16]

TO be honest we dont know exactly what will happen from here. It may blow over, but i dont think it was a warning. The rock had no corals or anything illegal on them, but the rock itself was illegal, and there are fines and jail time for such offenses. I think they will come out agian tomorrow, but as of now, no other news, just that if anyone will get in trouble, it would be my dad.

What the FWC really is looking for to punish to the full extent of the law are the trafficers of LR< and the ones who maliciously take and sell waht they have. I of course did not dfo that, or had any intensions of doing so, and i repeatedly posted of how sorry i was and that it would never happen again. If whoever made the call into the FWC ( and i think i have a good idea who ) really watned em to get int hat much trouble for taking less than a pound of rock and then admitting i was wrong and never doing it again, then man, i am sorry taht you hold that much resent for people. Even the officers said that because of their source, it was proposed that i was some big shot LR theif who took several peices with nice corals like Fans fire corals, and illgal thigns on it, and that i do this often. They said that whoever sent them the lead made it much more than what it really was, so, again, thanks...

for whoever out there doenst know yet

I LEARNED MY LESSON!!!!!!!!!!

(even thought that is like that 50th time i appologized, and the deed is already done, i am still bet that whoever sent the lead in to the FWC, to send out more to cops, FBI, CSI, CNN,....ect, ect... because you dont have anything better to do than to pick on 16 year odl boys who made a mistake)

I WONT TaKE LIVE ROCK AGAIN!!!!!!

OH and to just put things into perspective, anyone who has ever taken a shwll, a peice of wood or concrete, or even a hermit crab that has even a small trace of algae on it or some form of plant or coral life, you are just as unlawful as i was.

 

[Don Lino]

Thats messed up mang, Im sure u have an idea of who "SNITCHED" but, what goes around comes around. Dont let this bother you, Keep reefing mang!

 

[seth16]

My parents want me to take down my tanks

 

[Don Lino]

dayum, that sux...

 

[seth16]

yes, it does

 

[cowboyswife]

OMG Seth, Im so sorry.

 

[Fuzzy]

This is so sad.....

What a shame - you clearly learned your lesson. Your were thoroughly chastised. Apologized profusely, Promised never to do it again.
Told everyone that it was wrong - not to do it themselves - !

And yet some vindictive piece of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (fill in your own adjective) Felt the need to turn you in to the authorities.
All to satisfy their petty little ego.
Hopefully they will get theirs. Government agencies don't like being lied to.

Disgusting.

The sad part is that now your parents are exposed to untold financial and legal ramifications.


And people wonder why I stopped participating in this club.

 

[seth16]

Yes, whoever made the call sent the FWC the link to my thread, and they came to my door with printed copy of the whole thread that was scrupulously checked and highlighted for words, phrases, and comments. I dont know what o think about all of this right now, too much is happeneing all at once, and all becasue one jerk decided to spend his freetime picking on me, and look where it has lead too...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9686854#post9686854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mfp4073
wow. Is this from discussions on the board?

 

[seth16]

"And people wonder why I stopped participating in this club."

No Fuzzy, it is not the people on this forum, but only certain individuals that make this whole forum look bad and make the people on here feel like crap (and ruin their entire lives). I will not name any names, but i think you all know who they are on here. I try to help out the best i can, and recieve as much help as i can, and i understand what what i did makes this club lok bad, but it shouldnt. If other people see this and what i have done, they should think less of me as person, not less of the group im in. I really love this forum and the people on it (most of them), they are all big helps and I especially have seen how hwlpful and willing to work things out eveyrone is on here. People like Marcye, Brian, Craig, Brannon and Becca, and many others that really love to help and care for other people on here. They are the reasons that i stay on here, because they kmnow what they are talking abotu and i can take their info and know that it is legit, i just disregard any other info that contradicts theirs...lol

 

[chrisstie]

You know, when the moderator closed the thread where all of this happened on, he or she did mention that you posted what you did on a public forum.

I don't think it wise or healthy to hold grudges or suspicions, but suffice it to say that you are now unfortunately realizing the full ramifications of what you did.

I know you learned your lesson before this happened but I want to express my sympathies for your family having to deal with this issue now, that is never fun, and I'm sure they feel a lot of regret in this whole thing and probably a certain amount of helplessness. I mean, there are families out there dealing with sons who drink underage, do drugs, get into fights and all kinds of *really* serious stuff that more directly impacts others. I don't think a parent would expect to have to deal with the FWC.

I can see how it must be hard for them to deal with having to implement a punishment to you, as what you've done has directly affected them, and for someone like you that has got to really, really feel (rhymes with "city")...

I think the best you can do is man up and try to work out something with the comission if they return, but I don't know your circumstances, and see if there is any way you can take on the full responsibility of what is going on. I feel that keeping reef tanks, while yes, definitely a privledge, are also a valueable educational experience and I guess I just sort of disagree with them wanting you to take down your tanks.

Of course, it is your personal business with them but I will cross my fingers that you two can work something out.

I don't think you're a bad person or had bad intentions, but unfortunately there are consequences to our actions

Just remember if it don't kill ya it makes you stronger, I just hope you aren't discouraged by this and are able to take a lot away from it as a growing young adult. I made a lot of mistakes when I was your age when it came to personal choices, not so much ones to get me in trouble with the law, but things I've kept with me and have learned and grown from. Hopefully it will help you more than hurt you as you grow up.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Sorry to hear about that happeing seth, I truly hope the parents change their mind on the tanks and it all blows over. Be sure to keep copies of the thread and any PM's that where sent. Also be sure to get any reports that are written by any law enforcement agancy. Sadly these stupid little incidents can come back to haunt you and you will be much better off having proof of what happened, that you had admitted being wrong and were essentially sladered to the FWC. Of course id be willing to bet the reporting party did not give their name or contact info to FWC thus making it unlikely they will ever have to answer to their actions of accusing you of gathering for trade. Lets also look at the point that 2 officers where tied up for the hours of investigation it took, thus leaving more criminals on the water able to club manatees and do whatever other illegal acts they may choose that chances are are MUCH worse than snaging a piece of rock. I agree that you where wrong, but you learned your lesson and I truly hope you never have this come back to haunt you down the road.
(PS I speak from experience, at your age I found an alligator head on the side of the road, took it home to show my little brother not realizing it was illegal to even posses even if I didnt kill it. Snitch called FWC they came out and did a report, I tought nothing of it since they never charged me but when I staretd applying for state jobs I had to go back adn request copies of all paperwork having to do with it since it poped up on a background check, Luckily I found the officer and he wrote a statement clearing me of any wrong doing, but it was a hassle, just be sure everything is clear and you have copies for the future.) Good luck and truly hope you dont have to leave the hobby for now.

 

[cowboyswife]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9687271#post9687271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seth16
Yes, whoever made the call sent the FWC the link to my thread, and they came to my door with printed copy of the whole thread that was scrupulously checked and highlighted for words, phrases, and comments. I dont know what o think about all of this right now, too much is happeneing all at once, and all becasue one jerk decided to spend his freetime picking on me, and look where it has lead too...

 

[dugg]

I wouldn't worry about your parents in this i don't think. I have a son that was in tons of trouble before he turned 18, and every fine or trouble he got in was on him and not me. The fines were in his name, and only affected him. They may have to deal with the aggrivation of it all, but any monitary penalties should be all yours to pay. If it's your first time in trouble with the law you will just get a good slap on the wrist.

If you only take one lesson from this, make it that you should NEVER post anything on a public forum that you don't want the entire world to see. That includes the authorities and snitches.

 

[Reefmedic79]

Unfortunately, FWC isn't known for giving warnings.

I'm from Osceola County, and I know of a program there that could lessen any punishments that may be handed down to you, if it goes that far.

Is this the Seth thats been helping out at the auctions?

 

[sytanek]

Yeah it is, and he lives in Osceola county.

 

[waterfaller1]

I agree what goes around......
How did FWC know your address? This is pretty lame, especially since you might have to give up your tanks for it. A tough lesson. I don't think you had bad intentions...just poor judgement. Most of us have been there one way or another. Chin up, this too shall pass.