Florida business owners face charges over mothballs used near nesting birds

Wildlife investigation leads to criminal charges

A quiet stretch of St. Pete Beach became the center of a wildlife investigation after an unusual substance was discovered near a colony of nesting birds. What followed involved business owners, wildlife officers, surveillance footage, purchase records, and thousands of dollars in alleged losses.

The case has now led to criminal charges and raised questions about how far people can go when protected wildlife affects a business. But what exactly was found on the beach, and why did it become part of a months-long investigation?

About 1,500 mothballs were found

FWC officers found more than 1,000 mothballs on St. Pete Beach on April 20, according to investigators. About 500 additional mothballs were discovered in the same area the following day.

The material was found behind the Plaza Beach Hotel, where black skimmers were attempting to establish a nesting colony. FWC investigators and Audubon volunteers helped remove the mothballs from the beach.

Black skimmers are state-listed imperiled birds

Black skimmers are beach-nesting shorebirds that form colonies on sandy coastal areas. Florida classifies the species among its state-listed imperiled wildlife, giving it protections under state law.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says black skimmers nest on beaches, shell bars, dredged material islands, saltmarshes, and rooftops. Their open nesting sites can leave eggs and young exposed to disturbance and other threats.

Mothballs are regulated pesticides

Mothballs are pesticide products regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, and their labels specify where and how they may be used. EPA says using a registered pesticide in a way inconsistent with its labeling is generally unlawful.

EPA specifically says placing mothballs outside on grass is generally unlawful. Registered mothball products are commonly labeled for enclosed spaces used to protect fabrics from clothes moths.

Investigators traced the purchases

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and purchase records during the months-long case. FWC said records showed Czyszczon bought about $60 worth of mothballs at a local Walmart the day before the first discovery.

Investigators also examined cellphone information and text messages as they worked to identify who was responsible. Officials said those records helped connect the alleged activity to Czyszczon and Monroe.

The men face two types of charges

Czyszczon and Monroe each face a felony commercial-littering charge, according to reports citing FWC. Each also faces a misdemeanor charge for attempted take of a state-listed imperiled species by harassment.

The arrests occurred July 29, and reports say both men were released on bond. The charges remain allegations, and their cases must proceed through Florida’s criminal court system.

Interesting fact: Florida’s Everglades is the largest continuous sawgrass prairie in North America.

The businesses were near the nesting area

Czyszczon owns the Plaza Beach Hotel, while Monroe owns and manages Chris’s Beachside Bar, according to investigators and local reporting. The bar is located on the Plaza Beach Hotel property along St. Pete Beach.

The mothballs were discovered on the beach behind the hotel. Investigators said the location was also where black skimmers were attempting to establish a nesting colony during the spring.

Interesting fact: Florida has 1,197 miles of coastline, the longest coastline among the contiguous U.S. states.

Investigators cited possible financial concerns

Investigators said recovered text messages showed discussion about the birds and potential financial losses. Reports citing officials said the messages referenced possible losses ranging from $25,000 to $50,000.

Authorities said the financial concerns were part of the evidence considered during the investigation. The reported messages do not establish guilt, and the allegations will be tested through the court process.

Mothball exposure can create hazards

Mothballs contain pesticide chemicals, and EPA-approved labels include warnings about exposure through swallowing, inhalation, and contact with skin or eyes. The exact hazards depend on the product, its active ingredient, and the type and amount of exposure.

EPA also warns that some illegal mothball products can pose health risks. The agency advises using pesticide products only according to their approved labels and directions.

Nesting birds can be vulnerable to disturbance

Black skimmers nest in colonies on beaches and other coastal sites, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because nests are exposed on the ground, eggs and young can face threats from people, predators, and other disturbances.

The wildlife agency identifies disturbance as an important concern for beach-nesting birds. Those facts explain why nesting areas are managed to reduce interference during breeding.

Officials said activity could delay nesting

FWC officials said the mothball activity could have delayed the black skimmers from establishing their nesting colony at the St. Pete Beach site. A delay could push fledging later into the year, increasing the birds’ exposure to seasonal storms.

Officials also raised concerns about hurricane season, which runs through November 30 in the Atlantic basin. FWC said the mothballs were removed quickly and reported that no birds were known to have been physically harmed.

The investigation followed repeated discoveries

The investigation began after mothballs were found on April 20 and continued after another 500 appeared the next day. FWC worked with Audubon Society volunteers and others to remove the material from the beach.

Investigators then reviewed surveillance footage, purchase records, cellphone information, and messages. The evidence gathered during the months-long investigation preceded the July 29 arrests of Czyszczon and Monroe.

The internet is also talking about how Florida retirees face growing financial strain amid economic uncertainty.

The criminal cases are still pending

Czyszczon and Monroe remain accused of the charges filed after the FWC investigation. An arrest and criminal charge are not findings of guilt, and the allegations must be resolved through the court process.

The case combines state wildlife protections with federal pesticide-use rules. As of August 2026, reporting says the two men had been released on bond while the criminal proceedings continued.

In other news, Mamdani weighs in after Goldman Sachs moves jobs from New York to Texas and Florida.

What do you think about the charges facing these Florida business owners? Like this slideshow and comment with your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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