Iowa man faces 124 charges after over 100 turtles of protected species were captured - Here’s what Alabama law says

An Iowa man is facing over 100 charges for allegedly capturing more than 100 protected flattened musk turtles in Alabama. Authorities in Alabama have hit Aiden Throndson with a 124-count criminal indictment following allegations that he captured protected flattened musk turtles, according to court documents cited by local stations WBRC and ABC 33/40.

The legal filing details 20 individual counts for unlawfully capturing or taking the regulated reptiles, alongside another 104 counts related to the illegal collection or commercial sale of protected species.

The alleged offenses took place on or about August 5, 2026 near the intersection of Highway 278 and County Road 73 in Winston County, according to a complaint cited by news outlets. Throndson was arrested Aug. 8 near the same intersection.


Flattened musk turtles, scientifically known as Sternotherus depressus, are found only in Alabama. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Alabama law prohibits the hunting, trapping, collecting or capturing of flattened musk turtles without applicable authorization. The law also regulates transactions involving the turtles or their parts, ABC 33/40 reported.

The Alabama Administrative Code separately identifies the flattened musk turtle as a protected nongame reptile, according to ABC 33/40. Following his arrest, Throndson was given a $100,000 cash bond along with an additional $5,200 good bond, WBRC and ABC 33/40 reported.


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