Officials arrested a man who they say was photographed while disturbing a sea turtle nest in Sarasota County.

According to wildlife officials, Kim Feaste, 21, was arrested on Sunday in Hillsborough County for taking eggs from a sea turtle nest.

Feaste was caught in the act by a photographer on Aug. 13 on Casey Key. When the photographer confronted him, he reportedly said he was collecting the turtle eggs to be released later when they hatched.

Officials said there is no program that allows that kind of activity.

Feaste was released on a $2,000 bond and faces third-degree felony charges.

Sea turtles, their eggs and their nests are protected under state and federal law. Destroying a nest or eggs is a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or five years in prison.