Alligator Poachers Arrested In Glades County

Wildlife Officers Take Down Three Poachers

MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested three people in an alligator poaching case last week in Glades County.

While on routine patrol, Officer Scott Van Buren and Lt. Pam Steelman observed a pickup truck pulled halfway off County Road 731, which is south of Rainey Slough.  There, they observed a man in a canal along the road retrieving an alligator.  A woman was in the bed of the truck, and a 17-year-old male stood next to the truck. 

(Photo: Upon inspecting the truck, officers found three loaded rifles, four pieces of fresh alligator meat and two live hatchling alligators.)

The officers found three butchered alligator carcasses near the canal.

Three people -- Joshua J. Todd, DOB 10/12/90, of Alva; Natalee M. Grant, DOB 1/13/91, of Lehigh Acres; and a juvenile -- were charged with seven misdemeanor counts of taking and possessing American alligators.  All three were booked into the Glades County jail.

"We hope this case sends a strong message to would-be wildlife poachers," Lt. Steelman said.  "We will find you and hold you accountable for criminal acts."