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Man Denied Entry With Livestock At Escambia I-10 Ag Station Arrested After Detouring Through Georgia
July 25, 2026
An attempted detour through Georgia ended in handcuffs for a Central Florida man accused of illegally importing out-of-state livestock after being denied entry into the state at an Escambia County agricultural inspection station.
The incident began at the Pensacola Agricultural Inspection Station on I-10. Roger Rodriguez Vega, of Maitland, arrived at the station transporting a trailer packed with 24 sheep and goats. The animals had originated from Texas—a designated high-risk zone currently under strict emergency import restrictions due to the presence of the destructive New World Screwworm parasite.
When Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) officers inspected the transport, Rodriguez Vega failed to provide a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required by state health protections. Officers refused him entry into Florida, explicitly advising Rodriguez Vega that he could not lawfully bring the animals into the state without the mandatory veterinary clearance.
Instead of turning back, Rodriguez Vega allegedly attempted to circumvent the system. Recognizing the biosecurity threat, OALE officers immediately issued a statewide “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert for his vehicle.
Investigators determined that Rodriguez Vega drove out of the area and re-entered Florida by crossing the border through Georgia, bypassing the Escambia County agricultural inspection station entirely. OALE officers tracked down the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. When asked again for the paperwork, Rodriguez Vega failed to produce a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for the 24 animals.
Rodriguez Vega was arrested and charged with 24 counts of unlawful entry of animals into the state and one count of resisting an officer without violence.
The enforcement action comes amid heightened statewide efforts to keep the flesh-eating parasite out of Florida’s borders.
“Florida has taken a proactive and aggressive approach to protecting our livestock, agricultural industry, pets, wildlife, and food supply from the very real threat of New World Screwworm, and we will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law and attempts to circumvent those protections,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson, whose office announced the arrest on Friday. “I commend the hard work of our agricultural law enforcement officers, who serve as the front line of defense against devastating animal diseases and pests as well as criminal activity. This arrest also serves as a warning to others that we will hold accountable anyone who intentionally violates Florida law and threatens our state’s farmers and ranchers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Man Denied Entry With Livestock At Escambia I-10 Ag Station Arrested After Detouring Through Georgia”
They used to do health check-ups on people before letting them step off a plane from another country.
Hard to believe how things have changed in 50 years.
Dang. There are no ag stations on the interstate to stop him before he gets to the Fl line.
These animals will be confiscated and held in quarantine. If he is unable to pay all fees they will be auctioned off… probably in the county they were stopped in. The state does have an auction as well but not as often.
Good work! What happens to the animals?
In these cases, what happens to the animals? Will the person/farm that ordered the animals face any charges for facilitating the import?
Good job. Thank you to all the LEOs that look out for us and strive to keep us safe. You all need to ignore the noise of the many illegals, paid Marxist protesters, and criminals. I believe most of us approve of the job the majority of you do. I personally thank you.
Although you may be able to navigate around ag inspection stations in northwest Florida, there is no crossing along the Suwannee or St. Mary’s River into the peninsula without passing an agricultural station. The peninsula is an agricultural quarantine zone.
Florida and California put a lot of effort into protecting their agricultural industries. And rightfully so.
Good job, officers!
Shout out to our great law enforcement folks. Prime example of how strong borders help keep us safe!
Did he not travel thru Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama before he ever got to the Florida line? Where is the security in between Texas and Florida
This is the kind of selfish action that spreads a disease, infection, or pest across the country fast. Some laws and restrictions are for a good reason.
He could get 5 years + $5,000 for each of the 24 counts and 1 year + $1000 for the resisting arrest w/o violence for a total of 121 years + $121,000. Unfortunately, reality says he will get offered a plea deal for 1-2 years probation and no fine when his actions could have affected an entire state.
I realize I have no clue as to how hard law enforcement works for us all day long. Thanks for another informative moment and thanks to all the people involved in protecting us.