President Trump pardons two shark divers convicted of theft after freeing 19 sharks from a government-sanctioned research longline, raising questions about the balance between conservation efforts and federal overreach.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump granted full and unconditional pardons to Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr., who were convicted in 2022 for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper.
- The divers believed they were confronting illegal fishing when they released the marine animals from a longline off the coast of Jupiter, Florida.
- Despite their conservation intentions, federal prosecutors charged them with theft under special maritime jurisdiction because the line belonged to a NOAA-licensed researcher.
- The presidential pardons restore the divers’ voting rights, firearm ownership privileges, and ability to travel internationally, which had been restricted by their felony convictions.
- Their attorneys maintain the prosecution was unjust, arguing the men made an honest mistake while trying to protect marine life.
Presidential Mercy for Conservation-Minded Divers
In a decisive act of executive clemency, President Trump signed full pardons for two South Florida divers who were convicted of theft after freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a research longline. Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. faced serious legal consequences after the 2020 incident approximately three miles off Jupiter Inlet, Florida. The presidential pardons, officially issued on Wednesday, completely clear their criminal records and highlight Trump’s willingness to intervene in cases where well-intentioned citizens found themselves entangled in federal prosecution.
The case stems from an August 2020 dive trip when Moore and Mansell encountered what they believed was an illegal fishing operation. Acting on conservation instincts, they cut loose the captured marine animals and promptly reported the incident to state wildlife officials. However, what seemed like environmental stewardship quickly transformed into legal jeopardy when federal prosecutors revealed the longline belonged to a fisherman properly licensed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration for research purposes.
Legal Battle and Consequences
Following their 2022 conviction for theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction, the divers avoided prison time but were ordered to pay $3,343.72 in restitution. More significantly, their felony convictions carried substantial collateral consequences, including restrictions on voting rights, firearm ownership, and international travel. Despite appealing their convictions, the legal rulings were upheld, leaving presidential clemency as their final recourse for justice.
“We never stopped fighting, and justice has finally prevailed. We are thrilled the White House considered our arguments and determined this was an unjust prosecution. We could not be happier for John and Tanner,” said Marc Seitles, Moore’s attorney.
The Justice Department’s announcement confirmed that President Trump granted “full and unconditional pardons” to the divers, effectively wiping their records clean of the convictions for theft under special maritime jurisdiction. The case highlights the potential severity of federal maritime law enforcement, particularly when it intersects with conservation efforts by private citizens who may be unaware of research permits and specialized jurisdictional rules.
Defense Perspective and Public Reaction
Defense attorneys for both men consistently maintained that their clients had made an honest mistake with good intentions. Mansell’s attorney, Ian Goldstein, emphasized the fundamental injustice of the prosecution, stating, “This case never should have been filed.” The defense team successfully argued that the divers’ actions were motivated by a genuine desire to protect marine life rather than criminal intent, ultimately convincing the White House that the punishment far exceeded any wrongdoing.
“President Donald Trump has granted full and unconditional pardons to two shark divers who were convicted of theft after releasing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a research longline off the coast of Jupiter, Florida,” stated the U.S. Department of Justice.
The case has sparked considerable debate among environmental activists, legal experts, and marine researchers. Many conservation advocates have praised the pardons as recognition that overzealous prosecution can sometimes undermine legitimate environmental protection efforts. Meanwhile, the scientific community has expressed concerns about potential disruptions to properly permitted research operations, highlighting the need for better public awareness of marine research activities and appropriate ways to report suspected illegal fishing.
