Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) charged, arrested and jailed a Polk County man July 18 on four counts of felony identity theft, four counts of falsifying information on state hunting applications and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. FWC investigators believe Alfred Joseph Tatro, 62, of 539 Ranger Park Court, Davenport, falsified information on dozens of applications for free permits to hunt on public lands. Investigators said Tatro schemed to use the names of people, without their permission, on applications to increase his odds of being picked for the special permits – decreasing other hunters' chances of getting drawn. Tatro would then use the permits himself, give the permits away to friends or trade the permits. Some of those listed on the applications had never heard of Tatro, investigators said. All permit drawings for special hunting opportunities are accomplished through a random computer selection. Tatro was caught when information on hunt applications was checked and cross-referenced in the agency's computer database for discrepancies. FWC investigators set up surveillance at Hilochee Wildlife Management Area near Clermont on April 8, where Tatro was photographed showing his shotgun to FWC undercover officers and using the illegally obtained permits. Falsifying information on state applications is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Identity theft is a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum $5,000 fine and five years in prison. Possession of a firearm by a felon is a second-degree felony punishable, by a maximum $10,000 fine and 15 years in prison. |
