A SUSPECTED ALLIGATOR POACHER WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND IN ENGLEWOOD. CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE HOME ON FORESMAN BOULEVARD SUNDAY BY THE STEP-SON OF 47 YEAR OLD SCOTT EASTON, WHO SAID EASTON HAD KILLED A SIX FOOT ALLIGATOR AND BURIED HIM IN THE BACKYARD. 18 YEAR OLD TRAVIS RUIZ TOLD DEPUTIES HE WAS FISHING WHEN ANOTHER GATOR SWAM TOWARDS HIM LOOKING FOR HIS FRIEND. RUIZ SHOWED AUTHORITIES THE TWENTY POUNDS OF ALLIGATOR MEAT IN THE FREEZER AND LED THEM TO THE GRAVE SITE. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE WAS CALLED IN AND FOUND GATOR BODY PARTS ALL OVER THE YARD. EASTON WAS CHARGED WITH TAKING, POSSESSION, OR KILLING AN ALLIGATOR, WHICH IS A FELONY, AND ATTEMPT TO TAKE WILDLIFE USING STEEL TRAPS, A MISDEMEANOR. HE WAS RELEASED ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE ON MONDAY, BUT HE FACES UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE IF CONVICTED.
