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Fla. Woman Arrested For Allegedly Riding Manatee

ST. PETERSBURG (CBSMiami/AP) — A St. Petersburg woman who was caught on camera riding a manatee earlier this year is now facing major legal trouble.

Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant Saturday, charged with violating Florida law by riding a manatee.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies say she was photographed riding the manatee at Fort De Soto Park last September.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference a few days later asking for the public's help in identifying the woman. Gutierrez called deputies and allegedly admitted touching the endangered sea mammal. She told them she was new to the area and didn't know it was illegal to touch a manatee. The manatee was not hurt.

The maximum penalty is a $500 fine and six months in jail. Gutierrez was released on $1,500 bail.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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