ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida Panhandle man is facing a federal charge after authorities accused him of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online.
Read more Tophat’s Sutlery: Sumterville workshop recreates 19th century military history
A federal grand jury indicted Hunter Drake Lovett, 30, on one count of theft of government property, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced.
The backstory:
Lovett was arraigned in federal court in Pensacola before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon.Â
Credit: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson
Credit: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, with assistance from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, the Eufaula, Alabama, Police Department and the Florida Forest Service.Â
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson alleged Lovett traveled from Pensacola to Orlando stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests before selling them on Facebook Marketplace for about $1,900 each.
Read more Tampa doctors warn of Fourth of July burn hazards
What they’re saying:
Simpson said the investigation involved the state’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
“Our Ag Law Team has a suspect in custody who traveled from Pensacola to Orlando stealing Smokey Bear signs from our state forests and selling them on Facebook Marketplace,” Simpson said in a statement. “Big thank you to Smokey Bear for personally assisting in the arrest.”
SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35’S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS
What’s next:
Lovett’s trial is scheduled for July 20 before U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.Â
Read more St. Pete boating: Police project historic Fourth of July traffic spike
About the Author
