SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. — Three men are facing misdemeanor charges after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says an alligator was killed illegally in Santa Rosa County.
According to the incident report from the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts, Kevin Lacz, Richard Reder and Jason Griffin are accused of trapping and killing an alligator that lived in a Garcon Point retention pond without a valid nuisance alligator permit.
“She’s lived here for many, many years. And she’s never caused any problems,” said Ashley Rogers with Pensacola Snake Rescue & Relocation Group. “She’d sort of become a representative of the community.”
The report says that on March 15, Lacz — a nuisance alligator trapper — was responding to two calls along with alligator agents Richard Reder and Jason Griffin.
The men spotted the alligator — named “Allie” by neighbors — on the bank of the fully gated retention pond.
“It would be extremely difficult for an alligator that size to climb over this fence — they’re not gonna dig under the fence,” Rogers said. “The alligator has no reason to leave, and that’s why she never did. She’s been here her whole life.”
The report says Lacz used keys given to him by the property owner.
From there, the document says Lacz admitted to using a weighted treble hook to cast and snag the submerged alligator.
Investigators say it took about 20 minutes to pull the gator to shore.
According to the report, Reder held the line while Lacz and Griffin used a snare and tape to secure the animal.
Investigators say the men took the alligator — alive — to Lacz’s home, where it was killed using a power drill.
“I would say that that sounds horrific and I would not condone the use of a power drill on any animal,” Rogers said. “I don’t imagine that’s something that we would be promoting as a use for native wildlife.”
Florida state statutes show that illegally killing an alligator is a level four violation — a third degree felony.
Lacz, Reder and Griffin are facing a level two violation, which is a misdemeanor.
WEAR News reached out to FWC to request more information about the case, but was told to submit a public records request.
“This is considered poaching by any stretch of the imagination,” Rogers said. “I don’t want to set a precedent for the residents of Santa Rosa County that the illegal taking of Florida’s native wildlife is something that we can just pass over.”
The next scheduled court date for the three men is Sept. 1. Jail records show they were not booked into jail.
Lacz was originally scheduled to be a part of a veterans service day held by the Boatwright Foundation this Saturday. But he has since been removed from the event.
The foundation shared a statement, saying in part:
[We] condemn acts of animal cruelty — and our focus must remain on serving those who have served our country.
Due to controversy surrounding the event, the board decided to postpone after credible threats were made.
Postponed event/Courtesy to WEAR News
The Boatwright Foundation says it is already working to secure a new date for the veteran’s service day event.