Illegal alligator hunting arrest - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS
A man is behind bars, accused of illegally hunting alligators and keeping their parts. It was a discovery that shocked residents at Shadow Lake Apartments in Flowood.
"I had no idea that he was keeping that in his apartment. That's pretty crazy," said neighbor Daniel Baker.
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officials said they got a call from a tenant who noticed 21 year old Noah Randle dragging a live alligator into his apartment. When officers arrived they found the more than five foot long alligator dead behind the unit.
When asked if Randle had a permit to hunt alligators he replied, "If I did I don't think I'd be in this kind of trouble, huh?"
Officers said Randle would hunt the creatures on a lake owned by the apartment complex, leaving out hooks and waiting for the gators to bite.
"We just think its disregard for that animal. When the animal swallows a hook like that it's a death warrant," said Alligator Program Specialist Ricky Flynt.
"Very cruel and unethical means and there's no telling how many gators he has taken," said Conservation Officer Randy Newell.
Along with the alligator and all the alligator parts. Wildlife officials also found venom milked from a copper head snake.
"I'm a blow dart gun enthusiast. I like blow dart guns. Copper head venom, it could help in taking down something a little bigger. (Alligator) Hide? I have no idea what I was going to do with that, just know I wanted it," said Randle.
The Shreveport, Louisiana native who moved to Flowood six months ago claims he didn't know the law.
"You learn something everyday. I didn't know I couldn't have half this stuff," said Randle.
If convicted, Randle faces up to a $5,000 fine for illegal possession of an alligator and a $100 fine for possession of each alligator part.
A home-made pipe and other drug paraphernalia was found in Randle's apartment. Flowood Police were investigating.
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