An Iowa man is facing 124 charges after authorities accused him of capturing and possessing more than 100 protected turtles belonging to a species found nowhere else in the country.
Aiden Throndson is accused of capturing flattened musk turtles in Winston County, Alabama. According to ABC 33/40, court paperwork alleges the offense occurred on or around Aug. 5 near Highway 278 and County Road 73.
WBRC reports that Throndson was arrested on Aug. 8 near the same intersection.
The case drew wider attention this week as details of the charges were reported by local outlets. The turtles at the center of the case are heavily protected: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the flattened musk turtle as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and says the species is endemic to Alabama. Debates have also arisen online concerning the level of punishment Throndson should receive.
Man Faces Over 100 Charges For Allegedly Capturing Heavenly Endangered Turtles
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ABC 33/40 reports that paperwork filed in Winston County accuses Throndson of illegally capturing and possessing more than 100 flattened musk turtles. The 124 charges include 20 counts of violating protections specific to the turtle and 104 counts related to taking or selling the protected species. These are additionally outlined in the Winston County Sheriff’s Office’s Weekly Arrest [sic] for July 31st, 2026 – August 6th, 2026 Facebook post.
Under Alabama law, flattened musk turtles cannot be hunted, trapped, collected, or captured without appropriate authorization, according to ABC 33/40. The outlet also notes that state administrative rules list the flattened musk turtle among Alabama’s protected nongame reptiles.
Following his arrest, Throndson was given a $100,000 cash bond as well as an additional $5,200 good bond, according to WBRC.
Flattened Musk Turtles Are Found Only In Alabama
The flattened musk turtle has an unusually small natural range. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the species is endemic to the upper Black Warrior River system in Alabama and is currently believed to occupy only about 25% to 30% of its historic range.
The turtles themselves are rather small. The Fish and Wildlife Service describes the species as an aquatic turtle with a distinctly flattened upper shell that grows to about 4.7 inches long. The agency identifies siltation (a type of soil erosion) as “the biggest threat” to the species, while habitat loss from development and impoundments has also reduced suitable areas. Over-collection for the pet trade poses yet another threat to the turtles.
With no reports indicating Throndson’s age, commenters on social media have been left to guess, and opinions are split on how he should be punished. Some Facebook users feel that he appears too young to know the gravity of the situation—or that the turtles were endangered—while others support intense punishment, suspecting a greater smuggling ring driving this incident.