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The FWC the man and others illegally captured seven alligators from a moving airboat on April 19, most by hand, before killing “most of them.”
FLORIDA, USA — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Thursday it has arrested a 21-year-old man accused of illegally capturing and killing alligators and taking part in illegal alligator harvests.
According to the FWC, officers arrested Jacob Latreille, 21, of Mims, Fla. on Monday following an “extensive investigation” into several illegal wildlife harvests earlier this year.
FWC said its investigation began on May 22 when Officer Caleb Hallsten received information regarding Snapchat videos showing Luke David Michael Landry, 25, of Titusville allegedly in possession of illegally taken alligators.
Five days later, the FWC said officers executed a search warrant at Landry’s home. Interviews conducted during the search led investigators to Latreille, who owned an airboat used in several of the incidents. FWC said there was additional evidence connecting Latreille to multiple illegal alligator harvests in April and May.
Throughout the FWC’s investigation, the agency said Latreille and others illegally captured seven alligators on April 19, most by hand, snatching them from the front of a moving airboat before killing “most of them.”
Then between April 24 and May 11, the FWC said at least seven more alligators were illegally captured and killed. During this same time period, a whitetail deer was illegally shot with a gun.
The FWC didn’t say where the incidents took place.
The FWC said a warrant has been issued for Landry’s arrest, as well as warrants for Robert Gage Martin, 28, and Wyatt Scott Lowe, 24.
“The FWC takes these and other wildlife violations very seriously,” the FWC said in a release. “Illegally taking and handling wildlife is a serious violation of Florida law and poses risks to both wildlife and public safety.”
The public can report suspected violations by contacting the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or by submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.