Marriott Employee Receives Fine for Killing Black Skimmers

On July 25th, over seven months after the fatal bird incident on the beach, the City of Marco Island’s case against Renardo Sebastian Stewart came before Marco’s Code Magistrate with charges of five counts of violating Protection of Species and five counts of violating Permitting Procedure (23-0190 – 23-0194).

The City of Marco Island’s Attorney asked for a fine of $500 each (5) for the violation of the Protection of Species and $250 each (5) for the violation of the Permitting Procedure and a $50 administrative fee for a total of $800 (times 5). Jean Hall, a longtime environmental advocate and a shorebird steward volunteer said, “I guess we now know the value of a threatened species in Florida and on Marco Island. This is just soul-crushing that the City gave a slap on the wrist for this horrifying violation. Now we know that the value of a black skimmer is $800 for the irreparable and irreversible act against a threatened species.”

On January 9, 2023, FWC Officer Jessica Conroy with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was dispatched to the “reported killing of five Black Skimmers in Marco Island on the beachside of the JW Marriott Hotel.” According to her report, “Upon arrival, multiple Marco Island PD officers had the deceased birds (five); had marked off the area with evidence tape; the alleged defendant (Renardo Sebastian Stewart) detained with multiple witnesses.

Witnesses stated they saw Renardo Sebastian Stewart drive a blue Yamaha golf cart directly through a flock of Skimmers and run them over. 

On January 20, 2023, Stewart was served with violating 10 City of Marco Island Code Ordinances for the incident. These violations are in addition to the five charges filed by FWC.  

On April 14, 2023, at the Collier County’s 20th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, Renardo Sebastian Stewart was charged on five counts with the violation of: “Level Two FWCC Rule or Regulation First Offense” (379.401(2)(b)1 and received a sentence of 10 days Jail Time; Probation time of six months and 50 hours of community service to be served concurrently. Stewart entered a plea of nolo contendere (does not contest the charges) to all five crimes and was granted “Adjudication Withheld” from the Court.