Florida Man Goes on Alligator Slaying Spree, Kills 13 in Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — In what sounds like a plot straight out of a B-movie, a 21-year-old Florida man is accused of going on an alligator-killing spree along the St. Johns River.

Jacob Latreille of Edgewater reportedly killed 13 American alligators over several days in April near the Hatbill Park boat ramp, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Authorities say he now faces multiple felony charges for the illegal slayings.

“Illegal killing, possessing, or capturing of an American alligator is a third-degree felony,” FWC officials noted. That means Latreille could be looking at up to five years behind bars and thousands in fines if convicted.

While Florida is no stranger to bizarre headlines involving wildlife, this case has raised eyebrows among conservationists, who warn that poaching threatens a species that’s been carefully managed for decades.

FWC officers launched the investigation after reports of alligator remains surfaced in the area. Court documents tie Latreille directly to the grisly acts.

The public is being urged to report any similar wildlife crimes to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.

Stay tuned — this “Florida Man vs. Alligators” saga is just getting started.