Federal investigation launched in case of Orlando woman holding sea turtles

ORLANDO, Fla. — The federal government is now investigating an Orlando woman in a connection with a Snapchat video that shows her holding sea turtle hatchlings in Sarasota, Eyewitness News has learned.

Eyewitness News gave the video recording last week to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A federal agency will now decide if Stephanie Rushing should be punished for disturbing the baby sea turtles.

"The stakes are always higher in federal court. This is a really serious matter and these prosecutions are not taken lightly by the federal court,” said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.

Eyewitness News tried to ask Rushing if she knew it was illegal to disturb sea turtles, but her attorney would not let her answer our questions. However, in the Snapchat video, warning signs not to touch the turtles were posted.

"Ignorance of the law is never an excuse, but how could you be ignorant when these signs are posted so close to the turtle nesting areas? She does not have ignorance of the law as a defense,” Sheaffer said.

Sheaffer said that because the hatchlings are endangered and so fragile, the U.S. government protects them. It’s also against the law to shine a light on them or touch them.

"If found guilty, she could face a civil fine of $25,000 and, more importantly, criminal prosecution that could land her in jail up to one year with a $100,000 fine,” Sheaffer said.

Cox Media Group