Livestock hauler arrested for bypassing Florida ag inspection station after being denied entry over Screwworm papers

A man hauling livestock is accused of re-entering Florida after being denied entry due to lack of documentation required under the state’s Screwworm emergency protections.

The Florida’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) announced the arrest of Roger Rodriguez Vega, of Maitland, Florida, on the following charges:

• 24 counts of Unlawful Entry of Animals into the State
• One count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence

Officials said that Rodriguez Vega arrived at the Pensacola Agricultural Inspection Station hauling 24 sheep and goats originating from Texas.

Rodriguez Vega was not able to produce a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, which is required under new Florida Screwworm import restrictions.

OALE denied Rodriguez Vega entry into Florida and advised him about the required documentation.

OALE issued a statewide Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert due to the fact that the sheep and goats originated from a Screwworm infested zone.

Officials later learned that “Rodriguez Vega had re-entered Florida through Georgia, bypassing the agricultural inspection station.”

On July 22, OALE located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop. Rodriguez Vega was still unable to provide the required documentation, the agency said.

Rodriguez Vega was booked into the Nassau County Jail. The trailer containing the animals was escorted out of Florida.

“Florida has taken a proactive and aggressive approach to protecting our livestock, agricultural industry, pets, wildlife, and food supply from the very real threat of New World Screwworm, and we will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law and attempts to circumvent those protections,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “I commend the hard work of our agricultural law enforcement officers, who serve as the front line of defense against devastating animal diseases and pests as well as criminal activity. This arrest also serves as a warning to others that we will hold accountable anyone who intentionally violates Florida law and threatens our state’s farmers and ranchers.”