TX Brothers Plead Guilty to Dolphin Murder

BEAUMONT, Texas – Two brothers from Bridge City, Texas, have confessed to a particularly callous act of animal cruelty: the deliberate killing of a bottlenose dolphin. Cory James Moseley, 23, and Cade Ryan Moseley, 18, pleaded guilty to federal wildlife violations before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin on February 17, 2015, stemming from a July 26, 2014 incident.

The pair were fishing on Cow Bayou near Orangefield, Texas, when they encountered two stranded dolphins. Instead of offering assistance, they opened fire with a compound bow. Cade Ryan Moseley struck one of the animals, inflicting a mortal wound. The wounded dolphin managed to swim away, but ultimately succumbed to its injuries. A local fisherman alerted authorities after discovering the dead animal, triggering a federal investigation.

Federal agents quickly pieced together the horrific scene. The deceased dolphin was recovered as evidence, directly linking the Moseley brothers to the crime. Fortunately, the second dolphin was located alive and rescued through the combined efforts of wildlife agents and personnel from SeaWorld San Antonio. Its fate stands in stark contrast to its companion, a grim reminder of the senseless violence inflicted by the brothers.

“It is disheartening that individuals would kill a dolphin for the sport of it, especially in today’s age,” stated Tracy Dunn, Assistant Director for NOAA OLE. The investigation, a collaborative effort between NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling wildlife crimes. Without this coordinated approach, this brutal act might have gone unpunished.

Both Cory James Moseley and Cade Ryan Moseley now face the prospect of federal prison. Each defendant could receive a sentence of up to one year incarceration and a $20,000.00 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been determined. Rear Admiral Kevin S. Cook, Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, emphasized the Coast Guard’s dedication to protecting the nation’s natural resources, and Colonel Craig Hunter of TPWD applauded the teamwork that brought the perpetrators to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte prosecuted the case, securing the guilty pleas. This conviction sends a clear message: deliberately harming protected marine mammals will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing of the Moseley brothers when it is announced, ensuring accountability for this disturbing act of cruelty.