BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Authorities say one man has been arrested and three others arrested, breaking a Brevard County crocodile poaching ring.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee (FWC), it was launched after Tipster warned Snapchat videos and images, according to documents obtained by NBC affiliate WESH.
Two hunters, two dogs, were found dead in apparent lightning strikes in Highland County, deputies say
The four men are believed to have accessed the St. John’s River from a remote location in Hattville Park in Mims, and officials said they would wash the river system in search of gators. Many of them were boys.
Investigators estimate the group that captured and killed at least 14 gators between April and May. Capturing a crocodile without proper permission is the third felony in Florida.
According to the FWC, Edgewater’s Jacobra Trille was first arrested in connection with a poaching ring. Authorities have charged Latrail, 13 counts, for illegally catching and killing the Gators.
Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of Luke David Michael Landry, Wyatt Scott Lowe and Robert Gage Martin. All three are from the MIMS and Titusville areas.
The FWC report said much of the evidence against the four suspects was collected at Landry’s home. Landry was previously sentenced to 18 months of probation after not suing a fight to carry a hidden firearm.
According to the report, one of the Snapchat photos provided to investigators appeared to show Landry pointing to a handgun to a young crocodile.
The incident report also mentioned “deer poached along with the crocodile.” Investigators believe Martin was responsible.
Not only is wildlife poaching illegal, but the FWC says it poses a risk to both wildlife and public safety. Anyone with information that could help wildlife officers investigate the incident will be asked to contact the FWC.
