2 women accused of illegally harvesting palmetto berries in Port Charlotte

Two women have been arrested by deputies with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office after they were accused of illegally harvesting palmetto berries. According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a home in Port Charlotte in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The caller reportedly told deputies that he saw two Hispanic women picking palmetto berries in the woods. Deputies say they found a woman hiding in the bushes, later identified as Maria Manuel-Juan, 48. Manuel-Juan was reportedly carrying a half-full sack of palmetto berries. When deputies asked her who else was with her, Manuel-Juan eventually called to the person with her, a woman named Angelina Juan, 43. While speaking with deputies, Manuel-Juan reportedly claimed that both women had permission to harvest in the area, however could not provide a name or address for the landowner who gave them permission. The report says that Manuel-Juan showed them a permit to harvest palmetto berries, however, it was for Lehigh Acres and no where in Port Charlotte. Both women reportedly admitted to deputies that they were in the U.S. illegally, and knew that they were illegally harvesting palmetto berries without a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and/or written permission from the landowner. Both women were arrested and face a charge of destroying/harvesting palmetto berries without permission. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV