Manatee Molester Turns Herself In (PHOTO)
A woman accused of “molesting” a manatee over the weekend has turned herself in to authorities.
The search began on Sunday afternoon, when visitors to a beach called police to report that they had seen a woman riding a manatee. The concerned citizens managed to snap a few shots of the dangerous criminal, and shared them with police when they arrived on the scene.
Believe it or not, there is a specific law prohibiting the riding of manatees in Florida. It’s not even one of those laws that no one pays attention to, like jaywalking, or coming to a complete stop before making a right turn – this is, apparently, a law that the people of Florida take very seriously.
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act forbids any person from “intentionally or negligently” trying to “molest, harass, or disturb any manatee.” Riding one around like a blubbery boogieboard apparently falls under the ‘molestation’ category.
After a large-scale search for the woman was launched, Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez turned herself in and admitted to the police that she was indeed the dreaded manatee molester they were hunting. Gutierrez claims that she had no idea that touching a manatee was illegal – which you’ve got to admit sounds pretty reasonable. Did you?
Charges have been referred to the state attorney’s office. Gutierrez could face a $500 fine or up to 60 days in a county jail.
