The lucrative and highly regulated harvest of saw palmetto berries continues to be a focal point for local law enforcement in Indian River County. Recently, authorities apprehended two local men in separate incidents regarding the illegal harvesting of this protected Florida plant. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office to protect local conservation lands and private properties from unauthorized foraging.
Two men from the Treasure Coast—one from Vero Beach and another from Sebastian—were arrested in early September on felony charges stemming from the illegal harvesting of saw palmetto berries and trespassing on protected local lands.
The Vero Beach Incident
On the afternoon of September 4th, a sheriff’s helicopter observed a small SUV on property owned by the Indian River County School Board, located at 800 20th Avenue Southwest in Vero Beach. Authorities tracked the vehicle as it left the premises and eventually conducted a stop at a BP gas station at 20th Avenue and Ninth Street Southwest.
The driver, identified as 36-year-old Corey Smith of Vero Beach, initially claimed he was searching for his dog after deputies questioned why he was on property clearly marked with “no trespassing” signs. However, the discovery of gardening shears on the driver’s side floorboard and visible stalks of saw palmetto bush in the back of the vehicle prompted further investigation. Deputies noted that it is highly unusual for legitimate harvesters to take the plant’s stalks rather than just the berries.
Smith claimed to have a valid permit, but the documentation he provided via email was registered to an entirely different address. He later asserted he had written authorization from the local Salvation Army on Fifth Street Southwest to pick berries on their land. Officials contacted the Salvation Army, who confirmed they had never granted permission nor signed the letter submitted to the state Division of Plant Industry for the permit application. Furthermore, when Smith was taken into custody, deputies discovered a police scanner application active on his phone, which was actively monitoring Indian River County dispatch.
Smith faced multiple charges, including:
- Using a false or forged saw palmetto berry harvest permit
- Divulging police radio information to aid a suspect
- Trespassing
He was booked into the Indian River County Jail and subsequently released on September 7th after posting a $19,000 bail.
The Sebastian Incident
In a separate case the following evening, September 5th, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office cameras detected unauthorized activity inside the North County Conservation area. The footage showed an individual carrying a bag filled with saw palmetto berries. Deputies responded to the 7800 block of 130th Street around 7:20 p.m. and located 54-year-old Francis Ostrowski of Sebastian.
Upon questioning, Ostrowski admitted he was in the conservation area to harvest the berries and did not possess the required state permit or permission from the landowner. He was charged with harvesting an endangered plant without a permit and transported to the Indian River County Jail. Ostrowski was also released on September 7th following a $2,500 bail.
Understanding Florida’s Saw Palmetto Berry Regulations
Saw palmetto berries are considered a vital cash crop that grows naturally throughout Florida’s wild pinelands. They are highly sought after, not for culinary purposes, but for their valuable medicinal properties. The berries are primarily exported and utilized in popular herbal supplements designed to treat prostate and urinary tract issues.
Because of their economic value and the potential for ecological damage due to over-harvesting, the state of Florida strictly regulates the industry. Unlawful harvesting of saw palmetto berries without a valid permit or express landowner permission is classified as a felony offense. As these recent arrests demonstrate, local law enforcement across the Treasure Coast remains highly vigilant in protecting the region’s natural resources and enforcing agricultural laws.
