09/21/2026
This is unacceptable on so many levels. There is not a harder working group in our Florida Keys than our commercial fisherman. My thought is those individuals that were caught should be grateful that it was law enforcement that caught them. Because if it were a fisherman things would’ve turned out much differently for them. We support our local fisherman 100%.
🦞😡 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: THREE MEN ACCUSED OF ROBBING COMMERCIAL LOBSTER TRAPS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
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There are few things that will make a hardworking commercial fisherman’s blood boil faster than somebody messing with his traps.
And this case is going to strike a nerve.
Osmany Gonzalez Garcia, 33, of Lehigh Acres; Sergio La Rosa Cabrera, 35, of Hialeah; and Pedro Cabrera, 59, of Lehigh Acres are facing a mountain of charges after authorities say they were caught pulling commercial traps belonging to other fishermen and removing what was inside.
Between the three men, authorities filed 28 felony counts and 31 misdemeanor counts.
That’s 59 charges. 🚨
According to , the investigation began September 13 when an aviation crew working with Key Colony Beach Police was patrolling the oceanside of .
From the air, officers reportedly spotted a commercial lobster vessel pulling traps and removing their contents.
But there was a problem.
Authorities say the buoy colors on those traps DID NOT MATCH the colors displayed on the vessel. 🚩
The following day, FWC and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officers conducted surveillance near while investigators were obtaining a search warrant.
Authorities say officers watched the men pulling and emptying other fishermen’s traps for nearly AN HOUR before stopping the vessel and escorting it back to shore.
All three were arrested.
🦞 THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT LOBSTERS
Commercial fishermen invest serious money in traps, boats, fuel, licenses and equipment — and then put in the long hours required to make a living on the water.
Those traps represent their paycheck.
If somebody intentionally takes what another fisherman worked for, they're not being clever or getting something for free.
They're taking it from somebody else.
It's really that simple.
If it isn't yours, DON'T TAKE IT. 😡
Someone else paid for it.
Someone else worked for it.
Someone else earned it.
Leave it alone.
Florida law treats seriously, and FWC encourages anyone witnessing suspected violations to report them through its program.
⚖️ IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTE
Gonzalez Garcia, La Rosa Cabrera and Pedro Cabrera have been arrested and charged, but these allegations have NOT been proven in court. All three men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Our anger is directed at trap robbing itself and anyone who believes taking another person’s property or livelihood is acceptable.
❓ QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Should someone convicted of robbing commercial fishing traps be banned from the Florida Keys ?
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