Four individuals have been sentenced to a combined 38 years in prison for their roles in a series of burglaries targeting Florida state parks, announced Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Chandler Parrish Ellison, Alyssa Michelle Brewer, Aaron Tyler Higgins, and Kayly Dawn Burns were charged by Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, armed burglary, and other offenses related to burglarizing ranger stations across Central Florida and into South Georgia. All four defendants pleaded guilty.
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“Thanks to the cooperative work of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and our Statewide Prosecutors, four individuals who burglarized state parks will serve a collective 38 years behind bars,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Florida parks showcase and preserve the natural beauty of this state, and I thank Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Robert Miller and FWC for pursuing justice and protecting our parks.”
The investigation began in the fall of 2022 after numerous ranger stations in North Florida state parks were burglarized for money, equipment, and merchandise. The parks also suffered vandalism and theft of money from honor boxes used for visitor fees.
The sentences handed down are as follows:
- Chandler Parrish Ellison: 12 years in prison (pleaded guilty September 27, 2024)
- Alyssa Michelle Brewer: 8 years in prison (pleaded guilty December 20, 2024)
- Kayly Dawn Burns: 7 years in prison (pleaded guilty February 13, 2025)
- Aaron Tyler Higgins: 11 years in prison (pleaded guilty March 13, 2025)
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“The collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies have been instrumental in bringing these individuals to justice and mitigating further threats to public property and visitor safety within state parks,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The FWC and the Florida Attorney General’s Office remain committed to upholding the integrity of Florida’s natural resources and ensuring the safety and security of park visitors and personnel.”
The public is encouraged to report any state park violations to the FWC. Reports can be made through the FWC Wildlife Alert app, by texting 847411 with the keyword FWC and information about the violation, by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC, or by submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
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