A diver from Florida, Tanner Munsell, found himself facing unexpected consequences for what he thought was a noble act—releasing a group of sharks. This act led him to a felony charge, but years later, he received a pardon from former President Donald Trump.
On May 28, Munsell was among 16 individuals granted a full pardon after being convicted in 2020 for stealing property in a special maritime jurisdiction. Munsell, 31, who resides in Jupiter, Florida, reflected on that day and the unexpected path that led to his pardon.
In April 2020, Munsell and his friend John Moore Jr. encountered a buoy linked to a longline at a dive site while they were out on the water with some Kansas City police officers. Munsell described it as just another day of diving, noting it was something he had done many times before. He initially mistook the buoy for garbage before realizing it was linked to a fishing setup.
Thinking they were doing the right thing, Munsell and his team cut the line and returned 19 sharks back to the sea. “I didn’t think I was committing a crime,” he recalled. They had thought they were uncovering something illegal rather than breaking the law.
Unfortunately, days later, Munsell received the devastating news that he would be charged. “I felt like my world had stopped,” he recalled, explaining how he had reached out to law enforcement in good faith.
Though they managed to avoid a prison sentence, Munsell and Moore were ordered to pay restitution and faced a felony conviction that restricted their ability to vote and own firearms. Interestingly, the judge acknowledged their commitment to protecting the environment.
Looking back, Munsell expressed that if he had been aware of the legalities involved with shark conservation, he would have approached the situation differently. “I think when you’re trying to do the right thing, you’re just doing the right thing,” he said.
His case eventually caught the attention of the Cato Institute, which published an article that brought the matter to the White House’s attention. Munsell described the moment he learned of his pardon as surreal. He was on a plane when his lawyer called to share the news. “I was left speechless,” he said.
Grateful for the pardon, Munsell expressed his hopes that the situation would shed light on the need for better laws regarding shark conservation. He believes that the challenges he faced have allowed him to grow and reestablish some trust in the judicial system.
Despite the stigma of a felony conviction, Munsell feels liberated to return to his work in conservation. He hopes his experience can raise awareness about the complexities surrounding shark fishing and preservation.
His attorney highlighted that Munsell and Moore were genuinely trying to help under difficult circumstances, and this case serves as a reminder of the challenges that often arise in conservation efforts.
