Boca Raton, FL - Two teens are facing felony charges after they were filmed dumping trash off a boat near Boca Raton and the viral video caused public outcry.
Authorities say the two teenagers have been charged with a third-degree felony for illegally dumping trash overboard a boat near Boca Raton last month.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) identified the teenagers as a 16 and 15-year-old.
FWC says the teens surrendered to the Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach after drone footage captured the pair tossing garbage cans full of waste into the ocean during Boca Bash.
According to the teens' arrest report, the garbage cans included “plastic water bottles, unknown cans, unknown food bags, plastic cups and other unidentifiable items.”
The teens are facing charges of causing pollution so as to harm or injure human health or welfare, animal, plant or aquatic life, a third-degree felony.
The teens' potential punishment includes a $50,000 fine and up to five years in jail.
The parents of one of the teens involved in the case have released the following statement regarding the incident:
“We take the responsibility of caring for our oceans and our community very seriously, and we are extremely saddened by what occurred last weekend at Boca Bash. We want to extend our sincerest apologies to everyone who has been impacted and rightfully upset by what occurred.
Our family and our counsel have remained in touch with FWC since we were first contacted by them and have continued to cooperate with all authorities.
As a family, we agree with FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto that this is a teaching moment for the young kids involved and they should certainly participate in community service and ocean conservation efforts to deepen their understanding of the importance of our community and environment.”