During the July 17-18 Commission meeting in Stuart, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) honored Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Cynthia Honick with the agency’s Prosecutor of the Year Award.

Honick works out of Ft. Lauderdale in the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. She has proven to be a valued legal advisor to FWC law enforcement staff in south Florida, working with them on a large-scale case earlier this year.

“Honick has committed considerable time learning the detailed laws and statutes that conserve Florida’s natural resources,” said Col. Curtis Brown, director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “She remains steadfast in her support of law-abiding residents and visitors, and in safeguarding our natural resources.”

In 2017, FWC investigators launched Operation Thimblerig, an undercover case that exposed criminal activity undermining the commercial fishing industry. Honick took an active role in the case, participating in two large briefings for state and federal officers, working with investigators, and interviewing 55 suspects.

Ultimately, her support of the case led to the surrender of illegally-obtained Restricted Species Endorsements, the identification of over $140,000 in defrauded funds, the arrest of three suspects for felonies and the protection of legitimate commercial operators.

For more information about Operation Thimblerig, visit MyFWC.com/news.

Media contact: Katie Purcell, 850-459-6585 or Katie.Purcell@MyFWC.com