A New York man allegedly dragged a great white shark onto a Cape Cod beach, and investigators say he went looking for it to post on social media

A New York man is facing multiple charges after allegedly dragging a great white shark onto a Cape Cod beach and posting footage of it on social media. Christopher Stefanou, a 30-year-old from Long Island, was arraigned on Oct. 21 in Barnstable Superior Court in Massachusetts on charges that include animal cruelty.

According to CBS News, authorities were alerted after Stefanou posted video of the incident online. In a press release, the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office alleged that in October 2025, Stefanou and a crew took a European client on an excursion along the eastern shore of Cape Cod with the goal of catching a great white shark. The group allegedly caught a shark known as Aaron the Shark, a 9-and-a-half-foot male tagged by researchers in 2024.

Per PEOPLE, prosecutors allege that Stefanou used prohibited equipment, including a drone, to capture and drag the shark onto the beach. Once the animal was on the sand, prosecutors say the group celebrated and took photos before releasing it. The shark is listed in the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s logbook and has been detected by acoustic sonar thousands of times along the outer Cape.

The DA’s office says the shark rules are also meant to protect the public

The DA’s press release stated that Stefanou faces charges of animal cruelty to a shark, fishing for a shark, mechanical deployment of bait, attempt to capture a shark, and possession of a protected species shark. The office noted that Massachusetts regulations prohibit shore-based shark fishing with gear designed to lure large species. “Such regulations are designed in large part to protect the public from practices that intentionally lure these prohibited species closer to the shore,” the release said.

PEOPLE reported that Stefanou’s bail was set at $10,000. The court also imposed several conditions, including the surrender of his fishing license and a ban on fishing, boating, or using drones in Massachusetts waters.

Stefanou is reportedly required to remove the video from social media and to refrain from posting any additional shark fishing videos. He has also been ordered to stay out of Massachusetts except for legal reasons and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 11. Social media posts have led to shark-related charges before, including against a Washington man who filmed himself wrestling protected sharks.

In a statement to CBS affiliate WBZ, Stefanou’s attorney, Jon A. Ciraulo, defended his client’s background. “There can be no question that Chris respects the sport, actively participates in conservation practices, assists in marine tagging and research efforts, and volunteers his time to educate enthusiasts on safe and responsible angling,” Ciraulo said.

He also told WBZ, “The charges against Chris are allegations only. He maintains his innocence and intends to fully challenge the allegations against him.”