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Man Charged with Riding Manatees in Florida Keys

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ISLAMORADA, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a Florida Keys man has been arrested for riding and harassing manatees in Islamorada.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report say 47-year-old James Massengale Jr. was arrested Friday after witnesses saw him touching two adult manatees and their calves around Islamorada Library Beach. The report says Massengale - a homeless, self-described student preacher in Key Largo - told witnesses he was riding the animals

Massengale was arrested and charged with molesting a manatee after saying he would not report to court and asked to go to jail. He was being held at Monroe County jail on $25,000 bail.

Jail records didn't list an attorney for Massengale.

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