Walter Betancourth, Poaching Fish, North Carolina 2025
A brazen case of poaching has made headlines in North Carolina as Walter Betancourth, 46, a Honduran citizen illegally present in the United States, has been accused of exploiting the state's natural resources. Betancourth, who had an existing final order of removal from the United States from April 14, 2022, was arrested earlier this week following his appearance in Federal Court related to fish and wildlife crimes at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Court documents show that on June 15, 2025, Park Rangers noticed a group of five Hispanic males overfishing red drum. The Rangers’ investigation revealed that Betancourth and his gang poached 16 red drum. The daily limit is one per person. Several of the fish were too big and should have been thrown back.
Betancourth’s arrest was facilitated by active cooperation between ICE, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Those and other components of the Department of Homeland Security will continue to work together to further the nationwide mission to repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Ellis Boyle, made the announcement. Boyle stated, “Illegal Aliens come to our land and exploit our national resources doing as they please because they completely disregard our shared values, customs, and rules. North Carolina strictly regulates our fish to ensure their availability to all North Carolina citizens now and in the future. This sort of disgusting disregard for our natural bounty is exactly the sort of behavior you might expect from someone who chose to unlawfully enter and illegally remain in the United States, ignoring a final order of removal.”
Betancourth is currently in custody, awaiting deportation. His actions serve as a reminder to those aliens who are illegally present – that they will be found and sent back, no matter where they are or what they are doing. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the need for stricter regulations to protect North Carolina's natural resources.
Defendant: Walter Betancourth, 46, a Honduran citizen illegally present in the United States
Criminal Charges: Poaching fish and wildlife crimes at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
City and State: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Date: June 15, 2025
Outcome: Currently in custody, awaiting deportation
Case Number: Not available
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Poaching & Wildlife Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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