An Ankeny, Iowa man is facing more than 100 criminal charges after allegedly capturing protected flattened musk turtles in Alabama, according to reporting from Birmingham television stations WBRC and ABC 33/40.
Aiden Throndson has been hit with a 124-count criminal indictment, including 20 counts for unlawfully capturing or taking the regulated reptiles and another 104 counts related to the illegal collection or commercial sale of protected species.
The alleged offenses took place on or about August 5th, 2026 near the intersection of Highway 278 and County Road 73 in Winston County, Alabama. Throndson was arrested August 8th near the same location and was given a $100,000 cash bond along with an additional $5,200 good bond following his arrest.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the flattened musk turtle is a small aquatic turtle found only in Alabama, currently inhabiting approximately 25 to 30 percent of its historic range in the upper Black Warrior River system. The species faces several significant threats, including siltation — identified as the biggest threat to the population — as well as habitat loss from impoundments and development. Over-collecting for the pet trade is also listed as a threat to the species.
