A pre-dawn traffic stop for speeding ended with two men facing mandatory court dates after a Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy discovered dozens of illegally kept fish in their vehicle.
Lower Keys Deputy Rodolfo Castillo Perez pulled over a Honda SUV near Mile Marker 33 at approximately 4:56 a.m. on May 2, 2026.
While addressing the speeding violation, the deputy shifted his focus to the catch the men had in their possession. During inspection, it became clear that the pair had significantly exceeded the legal bag limits for mangrove snapper.
READ: Florida Stripper’s “Exit Interview” Ends With A Seven-Foot Pole And A Trip To Jail
Authorities identified the two men as 36-year-old Kenton A. Bryan of Port St. Lucie and 33-year-old Steven Samuel Byfield of Hallandale Beach. According to official reports, Bryan was found with 21 mangrove snapper, while Byfield was in possession of 12.
Florida fishing regulations set strict limits on how many snapper a single angler can keep to ensure the sustainability of the local ecosystem. Both men were issued mandatory notice-to-appear citations for the violations.
For those looking to stay on the right side of the law, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains updated fishing regulations at www.myfwc.com.
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