They Allegedly Fled FWC on Jet Skis. Months Later, the Law Caught Up With Them.

What started as a reported boating violation in Tampa Bay turned into something much bigger for two local men who allegedly decided that speeding away from Florida wildlife officers was a better option than stopping. The problem? Getting away on the water doesn't necessarily mean getting away with it, and investigators apparently had more than enough ways to follow the trail.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the arrests of Michell Herrera, 25, and Richer Carmenate, 23, both of Tampa, on October 30th 2026, following an investigation into a July 12th incident in Hillsborough County. What began with complaints about jet skis operating in a restricted slow-speed zone ultimately resulted in criminal charges, including felony fleeing-to-elude allegations.

A Jet Ski Escape That Didn't End at the Water's Edge

According to FWC investigators, an officer responded to reports of three jet skis operating in a designated slow-speed zone. Upon arriving, the officer spotted two watercraft matching the descriptions and reportedly identified himself several times while directing the operators to stop. Instead of complying, authorities allege Herrera and Carmenate accelerated through the restricted area at high speeds, leaving the officer behind and turning a routine boating enforcement encounter into a criminal investigation.

But the story didn't end when the jet skis disappeared. Investigators reportedly pieced together surveillance footage, witness statements, and cellphone data to identify the two operators. More than three months after the original incident, officers served arrest warrants on both men, and one of the jet skis was seized. The pair now face multiple charges, including fleeing to elude law enforcement, resisting an officer without violence, interfering with an FWC officer, and violating slow-speed boating regulations. Authorities also reported additional violations involving vessel registration displays, expired registration, and failure to update driver's license information.

Florida's Waterways Aren't the Wild West

For Tampa Bay residents who spend their weekends boating, fishing, or cruising on jet skis, designated slow-speed zones aren't just inconvenient stretches of water. They exist to protect marine life, reduce dangerous encounters between vessels, and keep recreational waterways safer for everyone. FWC Capt. Mathew Dallarosa, the agency's Pinellas County Area Supervisor, emphasized that fleeing law enforcement on the water creates serious risks for other boaters. The agency has also made clear that leaving the scene doesn't prevent officers from pursuing an investigation and seeking charges afterward.

Authorities have not publicly identified the exact Hillsborough County waterway where the alleged incident occurred. Both Herrera and Carmenate are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.