2 face felony expenses over balloon air pollution in Biscayne Bay; could face time in prison

MIAMI – A 26-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man are facing felony prices over the disposal of balloons into Biscayne Bay after these were used to brighten a yacht during a wedding proposal.

A witness shared a video on Instagram and environmentalists have been outraged. Marine animals usually mistake the nonbiodegradable deflated balloons for jellyfish. Turtles eat it. Seabirds feed it to their younger.

Miami-Dade cops also issued civil citations with more than $23,000 in fines for the unlawful dumping at the Bayshore Touchdown Marina in Coconut Grove. This has been a extra painful studying experience for Martina Gaspoz and David Torres-Bocanegra who have been both working.

Officers arrested Gaspoz on Friday and Torres-Bocanegra on Wednesday. They are facing charges of willful disregard for the surroundings, a third-degree felony punishable with a advantageous of as much as $50,000 or imprisonment for five years, or each. Her bond was $5,000.

Advert

Officers arrested Torres-Bocanegra for reckless disregard for the atmosphere, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable with a advantageous of as much as $10,000 or 60 days in jail, or each. His bond was $500. Detective Angel Rodriguez later clarified there was a mistake with the cost.

Detectives didn't consider the couple who obtained engaged on Tuesday to be the culprits. As a substitute, officers issued citations to the two corporations — the occasion planner and the yacht charter — that the longer term groom hired.

Also, not everyone who obtained a $2,510 quotation actually touched the balloons or was present for the celebration.

Dessideria D’Caro De Capriles, of Doral, is the owner of the constitution yacht. Gabriela Castillo was the event coordinator. Francisco Feo was the individual accountable for the charter company. Officers also cited Tulio Capriles, Iulia Tyshchenko, Viacheslav Diadiura, and Efrain Hernandez.

Ad

Environmental advocates need Miami-Dade officials to do extra.

The Florida Ocean CleanUp Society, a nonprofit organization, set up a Change.org petition asking Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the chief bay officer, and commissioners to pilot a new ordinance banning balloons and confetti in coastal waters.

“Banning balloons and confetti isn’t going to unravel the air pollution problem. However, we consider it’s essential and essential to spark a cultural shift,” the petitioner wrote adding, “We beg the Miami-Dade county to pass legislation to guard our ecosystem and increase environmental consciousness amongst boaters and the charter business.”

Ad

For extra stories about defending Biscayne Bay, go to the Don’t Trash Our Treasure page. Local 10 Information Environmental Advocate Louis Aguirre leads the group.

Related social media

Watch the related reviews

Don’t Trash Our Treasure: 6 p.m., Might 11

Night time report: 11 p.m., Could 11

Afternoon report: 4 p.m., Could 11

Location

Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.