Fort Myers attorney, sons accused of hiding illegal lobster stash on boat

Steven Koeppel, adult sons arrested Wednesday in Florida Keys

Steven Koeppel and his sons, John and Kyle, were arrested after they were caught hiding an illegal stash of lobsters on their boat in the Florida Keys, state wildlife officers said.

MARATHON, Fla. ā€“ A Fort Myers attorney and his two adult sons were arrested after they were caught hiding an illegal stash of lobsters on their boat in the Florida Keys, state wildlife officers said.

Steven Koeppel, 55, and his sons, John Koeppel, 24, and Kyle Koeppel, 22, were arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers Wednesday night.

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Two officers were conducting a routine boat inspection on the first day of lobster miniseason when they noticed the Koeppels "acting very nervous," Officer Bobby Dube said.

The men showed the officers the required 18 lobsters in their possession, but after a thorough search, the officers found 28 more lobsters in a hidden compartment under the deck of the boat, Dube said.

Steven Koeppel is the founding attorney of Yeslow & Koeppel in Fort Myers.

All three men face misdemeanor charges.

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