Two plead guilty to shooting dolphin

Written by TPWD

Two Bridge City brothers have pleaded guilty to federal wildlife violations, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Cory James Moseley, 23, and Cade Ryan Moseley, 18, pleaded guilty to taking a marine mammal in United States waters on Feb. 17, 2015, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.

According to information presented in court, on July 26, 2014, Cory Moseley and Cade Moseley were fishing on Cow Bayou near Orangefield, when they spotted two bottlenose dolphins stranded in the bayou. They shot at the dolphins with a compound bow and Cade Moseley hit one of the dolphins. The dolphin swam away but was mortally wounded. Wildlife agents were notified there was a dead dolphin in the bayou by an angler. The deceased dolphin was recovered and an investigation resulted in federal charges against the Moseley brothers. The second dolphin was located in the bayou and rescued by wildlife agents and SeaWorld San Antonio personnel.

The defendants each face up to one year in federal prison and a $20,000.00 fine. A sentencing date has not been set.

“We are extremely pleased that this case is being resolved,” said Col. Craig Hunter, of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “The dedication, professionalism, and teamwork demonstrated by investigators from NOAA, CGIS, and TPWD proved to be successful in solving this egregious criminal act. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is to be commended for their role and hopefully this prosecution will deter others from illegally taking our natural resources for their personal enjoyment.”