Florida Diver Freed Sharks, Faced Felony, Wins Trump Pardon

In a surprising turn of events, a Florida diver who thought he was saving sharks from a cruel fate found himself on the wrong side of the law—only to be granted a full presidential pardon by Donald Trump. Tanner Mansell, a 31-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, along with his colleague John Moore Jr., was among the 16 recipients of Trump’s pardons on May 28, following a 2020 felony conviction for theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction.

The story began on an ordinary day in April 2020, when Mansell, leading a dive group that included a Kansas City police chief and a SWAT officer, spotted a buoy tied to a longline over a dive site. Unaware that this was part of a legally sanctioned shark research operation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mansell and his team cut the line, freeing 19 sharks. “In our minds, we were uncovering a crime, not committing one,” Mansell recalled, noting they had even contacted law enforcement and NOAA’s hotline before acting.

But days later, the harsh reality hit. While out to dinner, Mansell received a call that shattered his world—a felony charge. “My heart sank,” he said. Despite their efforts to do the right thing, both divers were convicted, ordered to pay over $3,000 in restitution, and stripped of rights like voting and owning firearms. The judge, however, acknowledged their environmental dedication, handing down what Mansell’s lawyer called one of the lightest sentences possible.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mansell admitted he would act differently now, knowing the legal complexities of shark research permits. Yet, the unexpected pardon—news he received while boarding a plane—left him speechless. “I couldn’t even say thank you. I just soaked it in,” he shared. The case gained traction after a U.S. Court of Appeals judge questioned its prosecution, and the libertarian Cato Institute spotlighted the story, eventually reaching the White House.

Now, with the pardon restoring his rights, Mansell can vote, own a firearm, and expedite travel visas for his conservation work. While the felony technically remains on record, its practical weight is lifted. More importantly, Mansell hopes this saga sheds light on shark conservation in Florida, urging a reevaluation of legal shark killings. “I’m just so grateful,” he said, thanking Trump and the White House for their decision.

Through this rollercoaster, Mansell’s view of justice evolved—from losing faith to seeing the value of due process. Caught in a tug-of-war between commercial fisheries and shark diving tourism, he’s emerged on the other side, committed to raising awareness. As his attorney, Ian Goldstein, put it, “These gentlemen made an honest mistake trying to save sharks. I can’t think of two individuals more deserving of a pardon.”