A Bradenton man is accused of trying to turn a stolen radioactive tool into quick cash on Facebook Marketplace, and it ended with troopers at his door and a radiological unit combing through his home.
Marco Antonio Benitez Jr., 24, was arrested May 28 after investigators say he tried to sell a stolen radioactive moisture-density gauge online. He faces charges of grand theft and possession of a controlled radiation device without a license. Troopers said no one was injured and the device was recovered intact.
According to investigators, a tip came in that the gauge had been listed on Facebook Marketplace. Troopers set up an undercover buy, but when the seller never showed, they headed to Benitez’s residence instead. There, they screened the home and recorded what the patrol described as an “industrial-level alert” for radioactive material, according to a news release. Troopers located the moisture-density gauge inside, secured it and turned it over as evidence for safekeeping.
“Their efforts, along with the efforts of BCII and CIU Troopers, led to this important arrest and Florida is safer as a result,” Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said, as reported by the Miami Herald.
What The Gauge Contains And The Risks
Portable moisture-density gauges are common on construction sites, where they are used to test soil and asphalt compaction and typically contain sealed radioactive sources such as cesium-137 and often americium-241, according to the EPA. When those sources stay sealed and the device is handled by licensed technicians, regulators say the gauges are designed to be safe.
The concern comes when a device is stolen, lost or damaged. A breached or compromised source can expose people to radiation, and that is why stolen gauges tend to prompt a rapid, coordinated response. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has documented past thefts and losses of similar devices that triggered public-safety actions, as detailed in Nuclear Regulatory Commission event reports.
Charges And Booking
Benitez was arrested May 28 on charges of grand theft and possession of a controlled radiation device without a license. Manatee County jail records show he was booked and released the same day on $5,000 bond.
The Florida Highway Patrol said troopers confirmed that the radioactive source inside the recovered gauge was still intact and undamaged and that there were no reported injuries connected to the incident. The patrol’s account of the arrest and the booking information were reported by the Miami Herald.
Why Regulators Treat These Devices Carefully
Because the sealed sources inside moisture-density gauges remain radioactive for decades, Florida law tightly controls who can own and operate them. State rules require licensed possession, regular inspections and clearly defined storage and disposal procedures, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Those rules help explain why troopers called in specialized radiological units and then handed the device over to investigators for safekeeping. The state’s regulatory framework lays out inspection schedules and reporting requirements for license holders and responders so that incidents like theft or loss can be quickly addressed.
If you ever come across a suspected moisture-density gauge or see one offered for sale online, officials say you should not touch it. Instead, contact local law enforcement so trained specialists can handle screening and recovery. The EPA and the NRC provide public guidance and event records that outline how safe reporting and cleanup are supposed to work.
