Florida: Florida Fish and Wildlife Arrests 9 In Major Alligator Egg Bust After Long-Term Covert Investigation

FLORIDA -- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers arrested nine suspects on Wednesday for violations of Florida’s laws pertaining to possession of American alligator, alligator egg harvesting, interstate transport of alligator eggs and hatchlings, falsifying official records, dealing in stolen property, conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering and other wildlife violations.

These serious charges include first, second and third degree felonies.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials set up a fully-functioning alligator farm in Arcadia in DeSoto County, with undercover officers living on property.

Over the years, the officers say they met several people dealing in illegally harvested gator eggs and illegally catching gators.

During the course of the investigation, FWC undercover officers documented numerous criminal violations, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals for 44 felony violations.

Investigators documented over 10,000 illegally harvested eggs during the course of the undercover operation.

The officers say the illegal eggs and gators were being laundered through certain alligator farms. Some of the defendants even took the officers on hunts and illegally caught and sold gators.

“Many of these suspects were part of a criminal conspiracy,” said Maj. Grant Burton, head of the FWC’s Investigations Section.

“Their crimes pose serious environmental and economic consequences. These suspects not only damage Florida’s valuable natural resources, they also harm law-abiding business owners by operating black markets that undermine the legal process.”

Wildlife conservation laws are in place to protect and manage Florida’s precious natural resources for legitimate use by the public.

When people break those laws, they jeopardize the ability of the state to manage those resources for the future. If left unchecked, this valuable natural resource could have been severely damaged.

There are aspects of this investigation that are still ongoing, and the FWC expects more arrests to be forthcoming.

The public can help by reporting suspected violations to the FWC. To make a report, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@MyFWC.com

SUSPECTS ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 

Robert Kelly Albritton
Charges include: One felony count of Racketeering. One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering. One felony count of Scheme to Defraud. Fourteen felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.
Arrest Age: 36
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 01/21/1981
Block: 4100 Langford St
City: Arcadia, Florida 34266
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: BLU
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total Bond: $48,000

Charges

1. PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES - RACKETEERING VIOLATION. BOND: $10000
2. PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES - RACKETEERING VIOLATION. BOND: $5000
3. FRAUD-SWINDLE - OBTAIN PROPERTY 50K DOLS OR MORE. BOND: $5000
4. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
5. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
6. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
7. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
8. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
9. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
10. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
11. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
12. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
13. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
14. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
15. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
16. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000
17. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2000

Robert Thomas Beasley
Charges include: One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering. Six felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.
Arrest Age:38
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/05/1979
Block: 8900 SW Rabbit Trail
City: Arcadia, Florida 34266
Height: 6'01"
Weight: 235 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: BLU
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total Bond: $25,000

Charges

1. PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES - RACKETEERING VIOLATION. BOND: $10000
2. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
3. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
4. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
5. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
6. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
7. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500

David Wentworth Nellis
Charges include: One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering. One felony count of Uttering a Forged Instrument. One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs.
Last known address: 4333 Nellis Ln Punta Gorda, FL
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthdate: 10/10/1943
Arrest age: 73
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Charges:

1. Violation Code: 379.409 - Violation Description: LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY (LEV:F DEG:T 8220)
2. Violation Code: 901.04 - Violation Description: Out of County Warrant (LEV:N DEG:N 6265)

Carl Wayne Pickle Jr.
Charges include: One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering. Four felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.
Arrest Age: 47
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 12/22/1969
Block: 7100 NW Oak Hill Ave
City: Arcadia, Florida 34266
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 220 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: BLU
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total Bond: $20,000

Charges

1. PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES - RACKETEERING VIOLATION. BOND: $10000
2. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
3. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
4. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
5. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500

Wayne Andrew Nichols
Charges include: Three felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligators. One felony count of Unlawful Killing of White Ibis. One first-degree misdemeanor count of Attempting to Take White Ibis.
Arrest Age:41
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 07/15/1975
Block: 3300 NW Crestwood St
City: Arcadia, Florida 34266
Height: 6'00"
Weight: 205 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: BRO
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total Bond: $10,500

Charges

1. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
2. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
3. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $2500
4. CONSERVATION - KILL WOUND PROTECTED SPECIES OR EGGS OR NEST. BOND: $2500
5. CONSERVATION - KILL WOUND PROTECTED SPECIES OR EGGS OR NEST. BOND: $500

Christopher Lee Briscall
Charges include: One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators. One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property. Total bond: $5,000.
Block: 2600 Phillips Rd
City: Fort Denaud, Florida 33935

Gender: Male

Birthdate: 01/28/1995
Arrest Age: 22
Height: 6'00"
Weight: 168 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: BRO
Arresting agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Matthew Edward Evors
Charges include: One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators. One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.
Address: 309 NE 14th Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida
Arrest Age: 24
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 10/20/1992
Block: 300 NE 14th Terrace
City: Cape Coral, Florida 33909
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165 lbs
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Green

Charges:

1. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
2. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
3. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
4. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
5. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
6. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
7. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
8. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
9. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
10. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
11. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5000
12. OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT

Isaiah Joseph Romano
Charges Include: One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators. One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.
Block: 1800 NE 17th Ave
City: Cape Coral, Florida 33909
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 12/17/1994
Arrest Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Arrest Date: 05/24/2017
Location: Lee County, Florida

Charges:

1. OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT
2. OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT

Jacob Oliver Bustin-Pitts
Charges include: One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators. One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.
Last Known Address: 3809 SE 2nd Pl permanent Cape Coral FL 33904
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 165 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Birthdate: 11/11/1993
Arrest age: 23
Total Bond: $2,500
Bond Type: Cash/Surety

Charge:

1. OUT-OF-COUNTY WARRANT (OUT-OF-COUNTY WARRANT)

Previous arrest:
Arrest Date: 03/01/2014
Full name: Jacob Oliver Bustin-Pitts
Charge

1. PROB VIOLATION. BOND: $1000

Previous arrest:
Arrest Date: 12/07/2014
Full name: Jacob Oliver Bustin-Pitts
Location: Hendry County, Florida
Charge

1. OUT-OF-COUNTY WARRANT. STATUTE: 901.04

Previous arrest:
Arrest date: 12/09/2014
Full name: Jacob Oliver Bustin-Pitts
Last known address: 1298 Carson Dr, LaBelle FL 33975
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 165 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Birthdate: 11/11/1993
Arrest age: 21
Booking #: 791142
Agency: Lee County Sheriff's Office

Charge:

1. Probation Violation (Misdemeanor)

Also arrested:

Charles Dustin Accardi
Arrest Age:25
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 05/16/1992
Block: 1100 SugarBabe Ave
City: Arcadia, Florida 34266
Height: 5'07"
Weight: 180 lbs
Hair Color: BRO
Eye Color: GRN
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total Bond: $1,500

Charge:

1. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS - KILL INJURE POSS ALLIGATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY. BOND: $1500

Charles Daniel Brown
Arrest Age: 30
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 09/11/1986
Block: 7700 McDaniel Dr
City: North Fort Myers, Florida 33917
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 165 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Arrest Date: 05/24/2017
Location: Lee County, Florida
Total bond: $10,000

Charges

1. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5,000
2. CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (LVL4 KILL INJUR POSS GATOR OR EGG WO AUTHORITY). BOND: $5,000

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Designation: Sexual Offender
Name: Charles Daniel Brown
Race: White
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 09/11/1986
Address: 7760 McDaniel Dr, North Fort Myers, FL 33917-1930
Adjudication Date: 06/19/2007

Crime Description: Lewd or lascivious molestation victim 12-15 years old offender 18 or older; F.S. 800.04(5)(c)(2) (PRINCIPAL)
Court Case Number: 0615954
Adjudication: Guilty/convicted
Victim Information
Gender: Unknown
Minor: Yes

VIDEO CLIP (WINK NEWS)

(Spacecoast Daily - May 25, 2017)