Overview

• Barfield admitted to shooting at five dolphins and poisoning dozens more with methomyl-laced baitfish during charter trips in Panama City.
• The crimes, which violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, occurred in the presence of children and other passengers on his boat.
• Barfield pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal taking of a marine mammal and one count of federally prohibited pesticide use.
• NOAA Fisheries launched an investigation in 2023 after receiving a tip about his actions, leading to his arrest and prosecution.
• In addition to his prison sentence, Barfield was ordered to pay a $51,000 fine and will serve a year of supervised release.