2 face felony costs over balloon air pollution in Biscayne Bay; might face time in prison

MIAMI – A 26-year-old lady and a 29-year-old man are facing legal expenses over the disposal of balloons into Biscayne Bay after these have been used to brighten a yacht during a wedding proposal.

A witness shared a video on Instagram and environmentalists have been outraged. Marine animals usually mistake the nonbiodegradable deflated balloons for jellyfish. Turtles eat it. Seabirds feed it to their young.

Miami-Dade police officers additionally issued civil citations with greater than $23,000 in fines for the unlawful dumping on the Bayshore Landing Marina in Coconut Grove. This has been a extra painful learning experience for Martina Gaspoz and David Torres-Bocanegra who were each working.

Officers arrested Gaspoz on Friday and Torres-Bocanegra on Wednesday. They are going through fees of willful disregard for the surroundings, a third-degree felony punishable with a high-quality of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for 5 years, or both. Her bond was $5,000.

Advert

Officers arrested Torres-Bocanegra for reckless disregard for the setting, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable with a superb of as much as $10,000 or 60 days in jail, or each. His bond was $500. Detective Angel Rodriguez later clarified there was a mistake with the charge.

Detectives did not take into account the couple who bought engaged on Tuesday to be the culprits. As a substitute, officers issued citations to the 2 corporations — the occasion planner and the yacht charter — that the longer term groom hired.

Also, not everyone who received a $2,510 citation actually touched the balloons or was present for the celebration.

Dessideria D’Caro De Capriles, of Doral, is the proprietor of the charter yacht. Gabriela Castillo was the occasion coordinator. Francisco Feo was the individual in charge of the constitution firm. Officers additionally cited Tulio Capriles, Iulia Tyshchenko, Viacheslav Diadiura, and Efrain Hernandez.

Ad

Environmental advocates want Miami-Dade officers to do more.

The Florida Ocean CleanUp Society, a nonprofit group, arrange a Change.org petition asking Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the chief bay officer, and commissioners to pilot a brand new ordinance banning balloons and confetti in coastal waters.

“Banning balloons and confetti isn’t going to unravel the air pollution downside. Nevertheless, we consider it’s necessary and essential to spark a cultural shift,” the petitioner wrote adding, “We beg the Miami-Dade county to move laws to guard our ecosystem and improve environmental consciousness amongst boaters and the constitution business.”

Advert

For more stories about defending Biscayne Bay, visit the Don’t Trash Our Treasure web page. Local 10 News Environmental Advocate Louis Aguirre leads the workforce.

Related social media

Watch the associated studies

Don’t Trash Our Treasure: 6 p.m., May 11

Night time report: 11 p.m., Might 11

Afternoon report: 4 p.m., Could 11

Location

Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.