These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
On Aug. 16, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer responded to a request for assistance from the OCSO regarding an alligator...
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On Aug. 16, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer responded to a request for assistance from the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office regarding an alligator that had been caught on a set line in a canal in the Viking area of Okeechobee County.
The officer located a steel line with the alligator still attached, and a short time later spotted a truck with five occupants pulling into the location. As the truck began to leave, the officer stopped it and discovered an alligator in the bed of the vehicle that had been shot, with the steel line still attached.
The five individuals were arrested and received multiple charges related to the illegal take of the alligator and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail. One of the individuals was able to provide valid identification, and the remaining four were issued detainers by ICE.
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
