Bradenton Man Arrested After Stolen Radiological Device Found Listed on Facebook Marketplace
A 24-year-old Bradenton man has been arrested after Florida Highway Patrol investigators recovered a stolen radiological device that had been listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Marco Antonio Benitez Jr. was taken into custody on May 28 following an investigation into the theft of a moisture density gauge valued between $10,000 and $20,000. The specialized device contains cesium-137 (CS-137), a radioactive isotope used in industrial applications.
The moisture density gauge is commonly used in construction and engineering projects to measure the density and internal composition of materials such as soil and asphalt. Authorities said the device can pose serious health risks if it is damaged or improperly handled because of the radioactive material it contains.
The investigation began on May 26 after the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence received information regarding a private-party sale of the device through Facebook Marketplace. Investigators identified Benitez as the individual who had allegedly posted the listing.
Troopers arranged a meeting in Bradenton to purchase the device, but Benitez did not appear at the agreed-upon time. Investigators then traveled to his residence, where they conducted a radiation detection screening from outside the home.
According to FHP, the screening generated an industrial-level alert indicating the presence of radioactive material. Members of the agency’s Preventative Radiological Nuclear Detection unit subsequently located the moisture density gauge inside the residence.
Authorities reported that the device remained intact and that the radioactive source had not been damaged. The gauge was seized for evidence and safekeeping.
Benitez was charged with grand theft involving property valued between $10,000 and $20,000, as well as possession of a controlled radiation device without a license.
Florida Highway Patrol officials noted that only individuals licensed through the Florida Department of Health are authorized to possess or operate these types of radiological devices.
The investigation remains ongoing.
