Herbert Christopher Rivers was convicted of Illegal Killing, Possessing, or Capturing of Alligator or other Crocodilian or Eggs, following a one-day trial in Glades County.
The crime was discovered during the early morning hours of October 26, 2023. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer was on duty and patrol in Glades County. While at the Indian Prairie Canal Boat Ramp, an airboat came in with the defendant onboard and a dead alligator laying in the boat, with a wound to its head. The alligator had a tag on its tail connected to a permit for legal hunting.
The defendant claimed the permit holder had been on the boat but had to go earlier after an alleged medical event. The officer got in touch with the permit holder later and they said they did not give permission for their permit to be used without them present. They also said they had not been hunting that day.
Assistant State Attorney Evan Chaput prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director