Officials: Man Eats Threatened Turtle, Arrested for Unpaid Fines

LONGVIEW — A 36-year-old Longview man is behind bars for allegedly failing to pay citations issued after he allegedly caught and ate a threatened species of turtle. According to Gregg County Game Warden Todd Long, on April 25, 2013, Timothy Anderson caught an alligator snapping turtle on a fishing pole on the Sabine River. Long tells KETK Anderson pleaded guilty to the offense and was issued citations for catching and keeping the turtle and for not having a valid fishing license. Long says he was alerted Anderson was in still in the possession of the turtle and a warrant was issued by Gregg County Justice of the Precinct 3 Judge Talyna Carlson for his arrest. When Long arrived at Anderson’s home in the 120 block of West Garfield Street in Longview, he reportedly discovered the suspect had “cleaned” and eaten the turtle.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature first listed the turtle as “threatened” in 2006. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora also granted it some international protection. Anderson was arrested by the Longview Police Department and booked into the Gregg County Jail. He also must pay the State of Texas restitution for the value of the turtle.