On August 21, 2025, deputies assigned to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Wildlands Task Force received a tip regarding the possible illegal harvesting of saw palmetto berries within the Yamato Scrub Natural Area, a protected preserve owned and managed by Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (ERM).

Saw palmetto berries are classified as a commercially exploited plant species native to Florida. Harvesting them without a permit and the express written consent of the property owner is prohibited under state law, as these berries are often removed in large quantities from native habitats and sold commercially.

Upon arrival, deputies conducted surveillance and established a perimeter around the area. Shortly thereafter, Deputies observed a group of males carrying sacks of saw palmetto berries and placing them in a staging area for pickup.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., Deputies observed a U-Haul van arrive along the perimeter fence. The group began tossing the sacks of berries over the fence to load into the van. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Several individuals fled on foot, while one male remained inside the van and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect, Jn Nelson Tunice, DOB: 3/01/1989, of Naples, was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, where a detainer was placed on him by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The recovered berries were transported to a licensed buyer, where they were weighed using a calibrated scale. The total weight was 1,695 pounds, with an estimated value of $3,309.15.