Florida has seen its share of wildlife crimes over the years.
But three men just got caught in one of the most brazen poaching operations in recent memory.
And three Florida men are facing 92 charges after social media posts exposed their alligator killing spree.
Social Media Bragging Leads to Massive Investigation
Connor Wiegand, 21, Reagan Weidner, 19, and an unnamed minor are staring down 69 felony charges and 23 misdemeanors after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators tracked their alligator killing spree across three counties.¹
The whole operation came crashing down because these geniuses couldn't resist posting their illegal hunts on social media for the world to see.
FWC received tips in 2024 about illegal possession and harassment of alligators in Sarasota County.²
Wildlife officers discovered "evidence of numerous fish and wildlife violations posted on public social media accounts," according to the agency.³
Think about that for a second.
You're committing felonies involving federally protected animals, and you're broadcasting it to anyone with an internet connection.
Investigators seized cell phones after obtaining search warrants in February 2025 and found even more evidence of wildlife crimes.⁴
The forensic review uncovered additional violations and connected more people to the case.
The charges paint a disturbing picture that goes way beyond simple poaching.
We're talking about animal fighting, aggravated animal cruelty, discharging firearms from vehicles, and selling guns to minors.⁵
An FWC spokesman refused to provide details about the animal fighting and cruelty charges, saying parts of the investigation remain ongoing and the case "was very large in scope."⁶
Pattern of Destruction Across Multiple Counties
Wildlife officers documented illegal killings in Manatee, Sarasota, and Hardee Counties dating back to 2023.⁷
American alligators were nearly driven to extinction by the 1960s before strong conservation efforts and legal protections brought them back from the brink.
They're still federally protected under the Endangered Species Act and considered a threatened species.⁸
Florida actually allows legal alligator harvesting through a carefully regulated permit system in 65 out of 67 counties.⁹
Hunters who follow the rules can apply for permits and take alligators during designated seasons with proper tags and documentation.
But Wiegand and his crew didn't bother with any of that.
They just went out and killed gators wherever they found them, with complete disregard for conservation laws that took decades to put in place.
The felony firearms charges are particularly concerning.
Selling guns to minors while conducting illegal wildlife operations shows a pattern of criminal activity that extends far beyond poaching.¹⁰
Southwest Regional Commander Major Evan Laskowski made it clear these suspects showed zero respect for Florida's natural resources.
"Through the hard work and investigative efforts of our officers and investigators, we were able to stop the illegal activity of a group of individuals that had no regard for the conservation rules and regulations of our state," Laskowski stated.¹¹
This case follows a disturbing trend in Florida alligator poaching.
Just last month, four men in Brevard County were arrested after investigators discovered a dumping ground for alligator carcasses and evidence of multiple illegal hunts conducted while drunk.¹²
Back in 2017, FWC ran an undercover operation that nabbed nine men for illegally harvesting more than 10,000 alligator eggs as part of a criminal conspiracy.¹³
Florida's gator poaching problem isn't going away.
The FWC estimates about 100,000 poachers operate in Florida, with only 10% getting caught.¹⁴
Black markets exist for alligator meat and hides, creating financial incentives for illegal operations.
But most poachers don't document their crimes on social media.
That level of arrogance is what separated this case from the typical wildlife violations FWC deals with.
The agency encourages citizens to report wildlife violations to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or submit tips online.¹⁵
Those tips are exactly what led investigators to Wiegand and his accomplices.
Illegally killing, possessing, or capturing alligators is a third-degree felony in Florida.¹⁶
People convicted of alligator poaching face a five-year ban on getting any wildlife licenses, and that jumps to 10 years if the violation involves an endangered crocodilian species.¹⁷
With 69 felonies stacked on top of each other, these three are looking at serious prison time.
And they have nobody to blame but themselves for posting the evidence that sealed their fate.
¹ WFLA News, "Tampa Bay men charged with 69 felonies connected to alligator poaching: FWC," December 19, 2025.
² FOX 13 Tampa Bay, "3 people accused of poaching and killing alligators across Florida: FWC," December 20, 2025.
³ WTSP, "3 arrested in alligator poaching investigation in Sarasota, Manatee and Hardee counties," December 19, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ WWSB ABC7 News, "FWC makes arrests in Sarasota alligator poaching, animal cruelty case," December 19, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ WFLA News, "Tampa Bay men charged with 69 felonies connected to alligator poaching: FWC," December 19, 2025.
⁸ WTSP, "3 arrested in alligator poaching investigation in Sarasota, Manatee and Hardee counties," December 19, 2025.
⁹ Ibid.
¹⁰ WWSB ABC7 News, "FWC makes arrests in Sarasota alligator poaching, animal cruelty case," December 19, 2025.
¹¹ WFLA News, "Tampa Bay men charged with 69 felonies connected to alligator poaching: FWC," December 19, 2025.
¹² Tampa Bay 28, "Multiple arrests in Florida alligator poaching and processing operation," November 19, 2025.
¹³ CBS News, "Florida undercover gator farm operation nabs 9 men on 44 felony charges," May 25, 2017.
¹⁴ Florida Trend, "Poaching: Predators' Market," 2004.
¹⁵ WTSP, "3 arrested in alligator poaching investigation in Sarasota, Manatee and Hardee counties," December 19, 2025.
¹⁶ Wild Florida, "Florida Alligator Laws & Protections Explained," August 18, 2025.
¹⁷ Animal Legal & Historical Center, "Reptiles & Amphibians – Enforcement and Penalties – Florida," 2025.
