MIAMI — A remarkable turn of events has unfolded for a shark-diving charter captain, embroiled in legal troubles for nearly half a decade. Convicted on theft charges for releasing marine life from a fisherman’s longline in the coastal waters of Florida, his life took an unexpected leap towards redemption with a presidential pardon last week.
John Moore Jr., once burdened by the weight of legal implications, can now breathe a sigh of relief. Speaking with a mix of disbelief and elation, Moore described the surreal experiences of the past few years. “I never imagined I’d hold something like this,” he expressed on Tuesday, proudly displaying the pardon adorned with a signature from the then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Both Moore and his colleague, Tanner Mansell, faced their fate in 2022 when they were convicted for theft under special maritime jurisdiction. Although they eluded prison time, financial repercussions loomed large, with an order to pay restitution amounting to $3,343.72. As a result of the felony charges, the duo faced restrictions on voting, firearm ownership, and international travel. Moore was taken by surprise upon receiving the pardon, confessing that neither he nor his legal team had formally sought clemency.
“We didn’t initiate contact with the White House,” Moore clarified. “We never requested a pardon because our focus was on pursuing legal avenues, like taking our fight to the Supreme Court.”
The incident that triggered the legal consequences occurred off the Jupiter Inlet back in August 2020. Spotting what they believed to be an illegal fishing operation, Moore and Mansell acted on their intuition and freed 19 sharks alongside a colossal grouper. They promptly informed state wildlife authorities before returning the equipment onshore. However, federal prosecutors pursued charges, identifying the line as the property of a NOAA-authorized fisherman, conducting lawful research.
A jury found both men guilty, and all subsequent appeals failed. Yet, through the stroke of a presidential pen, their records are now forever altered. Reflecting on the ordeal, Moore contemplated, “Would my actions differ knowing the line was legal? Having worked commercially, I would never have interfered with lawful equipment. My awareness has certainly evolved.”
The chapter appears to close on a note of newfound clarity for Moore, a testament to the unpredictable nature of legal predicaments and the extraordinary course that reversals like a presidential pardon can chart.