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LAKE WORTH BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — A Lake Worth Beach man was arrested earlier this month on charges related to attempting to sell or molest sea turtles.
Sixty-three-year-old Addison Mullen is accused of trying to sell a rare Hawksbill sea turtle shell on Facebook Marketplace for $2,700, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC officers stated in an arrest report that Mullen did not have the required paperwork for the shell. Officers obtained a search warrant, went to Mullen’s home on North K Street, seized the shell, and arrested him.
Working to learn his side of the story, WPBF went to his home; a person briefly opened the door and then shut it. However, Mullen’s neighbor, Olga Auson, shared her perspective.
“I know Addison for many years, and I know he is such a good guy,” Auson said. “The only thing I know is that somebody gave it to him, and he just try to get rid of his stuff because he is planning to move.”
FWC officers believe the shell is from an Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle.
Sarah Hirsch, director of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, explained that if you come across a sea turtle shell, contact either the FWC or Loggerhead.
Hirsch also highlighted the unique characteristics of the hawksbill sea turtle shell, saying, “They’re notorious actually for their beautiful shells.”
Authorities are still working to confirm how Mullen originally obtained the shell.
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