Tone Calle, 52, of Palmetto Bay, Florida, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for illegal spearfishing in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary — a crime that included ditching evidence and lying to federal authorities. On November 1, 2016, Calle admitted to impeding and interfering with a law enforcement officer within sanctuary waters, a violation of the Marine Protection and Sanctuaries Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1436(3)(B).
U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore handed down a sentence of two years’ probation, a $2,500 criminal fine, and ordered the forfeiture of Calle’s entire spearfishing arsenal to the federal government. The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald, was brought by Wifredo A. Ferrer, then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Tracy Dunn, Assistant Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement.
The crime unfolded in May 2014, when a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Officer, cross-designated to enforce federal sanctuary rules, approached Calle’s anchored vessel in the Special Management Zone near Key Largo. The boat displayed a diver-down flag. Calle was spotted in the water wearing a camouflage diving suit, tethered to a spearfishing float. When the officer approached, Calle vanished beneath the surface — only to reappear empty-handed and deny any illegal activity.
Search of the vessel told a different story. Multiple spear guns were found onboard. A cooler held fresh speared fish. The officer issued a written warning — but suspicion lingered. After Calle quickly raised anchor and drifted from the initial location, the officer returned to the GPS-marked spot and dove. On the seafloor, he found a fully rigged, customized spear gun — matching those seen on Calle’s boat.
The break in the case came from Calle’s own online footprint. A public website he maintained to promote his spearfishing guide services and sell custom-built gear featured photos of him posing with a uniquely camouflaged spear gun — the same one recovered from the sanctuary floor. The digital trail sealed the evidence chain.
Wifredo A. Ferrer praised the joint investigation by NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Court records, including the criminal information and factual statement, are available through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
RELATED: Drexel Woody Pleads Guilty in Brutal Kidnapping, Killing of Amanda Clemons
Related Federal Cases
- Largo Felon Sentenced for Loaded Firearm Possession · Florida
- Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun Possession · New York
- Sebring Man Sentenced for Illegal Facebook Gun Sales · Florida
- Harlem Suarez Convicted in Key West Backpack Bomb Plot · Florida
- Jerome Stancil Gets 15 Years for Illegal Firearm Possession · Florida
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons