Man accused of repeat lobster violations held on $1.4 million bond

Deputies: Jorge Vargas, 59, found with 246 undersized lobsters on Saturday

Courtesy: Deputy Wilfredo Guerra

FIESTA KEY, Fla. – A man from Miami was arrested Saturday after he was found with 267 lobster tails in the Florida Keys -- 246 of which were undersized.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, deputy Wilfredo Guerra was on patrol about 4 a.m. when he spotted Jorge Vargas, 59, pulling traps and wringing lobster tails near Fiesta Key Marina.

Recommended Videos



Guerra continued to watch Vargas for a couple of hours before pulling Vargas over once he got into his Ford Ranger truck.

Vargas was caught with 267 wrung tails and was cited for possession of undersized lobster, possession of over the limit lobster and possession of wrung lobster tails.

Records show Vargas has been arrested twice during the past three years on similar charges in the Keys.

While Vargas was being held in jail, a warrant was issued for him Monday for failure to appear in court for one of the previous cases from 2011. The judge set bond on the warrant at $1.4 million.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.