Teens seen on viral video dumping trash off boat turn themselves in to authorities

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Two teens have been charged after video showing them dumping out two trashcans from a boat off the shores of Boca Raton sparked intense scrutiny.

Nearly a week after the video went viral, the Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission announced two juveniles have turned themselves in.

Authorities charged both 16-year-old Michael Kirby and 15-year-old Charles Ruth with third degree felony cause pollution.

The video captured by drone on Sunday shows a group of young people on a boat in the Boca Inlet illegally dumping two trash cans of garbage into ocean.

A trail of trash could be seen floating in the water while one of the boaters posed for the passing drone as the boat headed back to the popular event called Boca Bash.

FWC launched its investigation a day after the video was posted.

In a statement, FWC investigators said they quickly identified two of the juveniles.

As swells of backlash grew, many demanded someone be held accountable.

The two teens said to have polluted the waters have since turned themselves in to authorities, FWC said in its statement, to face the consequences for violating the laws related to polluting the waters.

The chairman of FWC Rodney Barreto wrote, in part:

“This is a teaching moment for all those involved—Florida’s natural resources are precious, and we should all do our part to protect them.”

Additionally, the family of one of the teens released a statement following the arrests.

The felony charges that the teens are facing carry up to a $50,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About The Author
Samiar Nefzi

Samiar Nefzi

Samiar Nefzi joined the Local 10 News team in August of 2023.