News Release

Winter Haven marina owner arrested for dealing in stolen property

June 2, 2009
Contact:  Gary Morse, 863-648-3200

On May 29, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators arrested the owner of a Winter Haven marina on charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property and possession of an outboard motor without serial numbers.

William Michael "Wild Bill" Stowell (DOB 02/01/61), of 2600 West Lake Eloise Drive, Winter Haven, made a deal with FWC undercover investigators to sell them a 50-horsepower Yamaha four-stroke outboard motor for $900.  The motor, valued at more than $8,000, was state-owned property, stolen on Dec. 1, 2008, from a locked, fenced compound at the FWC's Tenoroc Fish Management Area in Lakeland.

In early April 2009, FWC law enforcement officers got a tip that a motor of questionable origin was for sale at Aloha Rainbow Marina on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven.  On April 3, FWC undercover investigators went to the marina and found that in spite of the serial numbers being illegally removed, there were irrefutable markings on the outboard that identified it as the missing FWC property.

FWC undercover investigators then negotiated to buy the stolen property.  Several minutes later, uniformed FWC officers entered the business and seized the motor.

Stowell was released from the Polk County jail on a $7,000 bond.  The case is now in the hands of the Polk State Attorney's Office for prosecution.  Grand theft is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Dealing in stolen property is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.  Possession of an outboard motor without serial numbers is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

If you would like more information on FWC Law Enforcement field operations, visit MyFWC.com/ABOUT/LE/About_LE_Weekly.htm.