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Friday, March 15, 2019

MSP Troopers Arrest MD Man Wanted In Florida For Animal Cruelty

 
(OCEAN CITY, MD) – Thanks to tips from concerned citizens, state troopers arrested a Maryland man in Worcester County this morning who is wanted by Florida officials on a charge of animal cruelty.

The suspect is identified as William Hunter Hardesty, 31, of Riva, Md. He was arrested on a warrant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that charges him with animal cruelty to migratory birds and the intentional feeding of pelicans. He is currently being held as a fugitive in the Worcester County Detention Center.

Troopers arrested Hardesty shortly after 9:00 a.m. today at a hotel in the 12000-block of Ocean Gateway, in Ocean City, Md. He was processed at the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack. Hardesty was taken before a court commissioner for a bond hearing and then transported to the detention center, where he will await extradition to Florida. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of the arrest and is initiating extradition proceedings.

A video showing a man in Florida luring and then jumping on top of a pelican in the water was posted on social media. Florida authorities investigated and obtained an arrest warrant for Hardesty.

Maryland State Police at the Berlin Barrack were contacted this morning by concerned citizens who said they believed the individual in the video was staying at the Ocean City hotel. Troopers were told the individual was bragging to them about being wanted for feeding and tackling a pelican in the Florida Keys.

Troopers confirmed the extraditable arrest warrant with Florida law enforcement. They responded to the hotel and, after identifying Hardesty, arrested him without incident.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

HAHA Came to OC to get drunk I'm sure. Now he leaves in handcuffs and will still have to pay for hit hotel! Sounds like the tag readers tipped them off.

Anonymous said...

This is why I wear a fake nose and mustache in oc. I always take my tags off when entering.

Anonymous said...

Hunter Hardesty never did have a lick of common sense.

Anonymous said...

If he were an illegal criminal alien he would be released

Anonymous said...

So he fed some birds? Really

Anonymous said...

He jumped in the water and on a pelican. Held the bird and posed for photos to show he was a big deal. Bad actor needs punishment.

Anonymous said...

I wish law enforcers would get a good mug shot like in old days. All these perps have these smug and snide sassy looks. Smack them. Sit up straight look at the camera and loose that smirk looser. They all look like selfies or some social media nonsense.

Anonymous said...

If he abused any of Gods creatures he'll do the same to humans.He needs to have a tracking device.

Anonymous said...

Who hasn't fed the Pelicans though?