A Texas livestock hauler has been arrested after Florida officials alleged he intentionally bypassed the state's agricultural inspection process while transporting livestock from a high-risk New World screwworm area into Florida. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Roger Rodriguez Vega, of Maitland, was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to transport 24 sheep and goats without the veterinary documentation required under the state's emergency protections.
Inspection Station Encounter
The incident began when authorities said Vega first arrived at the Pensacola Agricultural Inspection Station. Inspectors requested an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) and other paperwork demonstrating compliance with Florida’s emergency New World screwworm requirements. Investigators allege he was unable to provide this documentation and was denied entry into the state.
Because the livestock originated from what Florida considers a high-risk area, officials issued a statewide Be On the Lookout alert after denying his entry. Law enforcement officers later determined that Vega had allegedly entered Florida through Georgia instead of Pensacola, effectively bypassing the agricultural inspection station entirely.
Arrest and Charges
Law enforcement located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop where they again found that the required veterinary inspection documentation was not available. Following this discovery, Vega was arrested and charged with 24 counts of Unlawful Entry of Animals into the State and one count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
After the arrest, the trailer carrying the sheep and goats was escorted back out of Florida. The charges against Vega are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Statewide Enforcement Efforts
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized that the state will aggressively enforce its emergency animal health protections. "Florida has taken a proactive and aggressive approach to protecting our livestock, agricultural industry, pets, wildlife, and food supply from the very real threat of New World Screwworm," Simpson said in a statement. "We will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law and attempts to circumvent those protections."
Background on Regulations
The arrest occurs as Florida continues operating under strengthened emergency rules adopted after confirmed New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico. These regulations require warm-blooded animals entering from designated high-risk areas to be accompanied by a valid OCVI and, in some cases, additional documentation showing compliance with inspection and treatment requirements.
The New World screwworm is described as a destructive parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. If left untreated, infestations can cause severe tissue damage and may become fatal. Although Florida has not reported an active outbreak, officials have implemented strict import requirements to prevent the parasite from becoming reestablished within its borders.
