VIERA, Fla. (May 14, 2026) — In Defense of Animals decries the sentencing of Jacob Latreille, who was charged with three other men for poaching 13 alligators.

On May 14, Latreille withdrew his guilty plea and entered a plea of nolo contendere for 14 felony counts of the illegal killing, possessing, or capturing of alligators. Judge Clarissa Harrell sentenced him to 36 months of probation for each of the 14 counts, to be served concurrently,  all hunting and fishing privileges have been suspended for three years and he has to pay fines and court costs.  

In Defense of Animals sent a letter with 8904 signatures to Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Denick supporting Latreille’s prosecution and that of his three codefendants, Luke Landry, Wyatt Lowe and Robert Martin. 

Florida wildlife authorities charged Latreille with multiple felonies after investigators substantiated that he and his codefendants poached 13 alligators during a series of nighttime trips along the St. Johns River near the Hatbill Park Boat Ramp in Brevard County. The case underscores the necessity of enforcing wildlife protection laws with the strongest possible penalties.

An FWC affidavit states that the killings occurred over three separate nights in April 2025. Authorities allege that Latreille operated his airboat while instructing his codefendants on how to capture the alligators. Evidence of their criminal activity was documented on cellphone videos.

On April 19, seven alligators were captured and placed in the front hatch compartment of the airboat. The affidavit notes that the animals were “thrown into the front hatch,” and video footage recovered from Latreille’s phone showed multiple alligators stored on ice inside the compartment. According to the officer’s report, some of the alligators seemed to be alive. Others were already dead.

Latreille and the three men engaging in the hunts did not possess the permits or identification tags required to legally hunt alligators in Florida, including documentation required under international wildlife trade regulations such as CITES tagging.

Latreille was arrested on September 22 and charged with 13 counts of a third-degree felony in Florida. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on a $6,500 bond.

Judge Johnathan Skinner handed Martin, who pleaded nolo contendere on March 17, 2026, 18 months of supervised probation, a $750 fine, $553.50 court costs, $100 other, and a $50 Public Defenders Application Fee, and his hunting and fishing privileges were suspended for three years.  

Lowe pleaded nolo contendere to his charges on May 7, 2026. Judge David C. Koenig handed him 18 months of probation, a $750 fine, $553.50 court costs, and suspended his hunting and fishing privileges for three years.

Landry’s case has not yet been resolved.

“Wildlife advocates and enforcement officials recognize that light sentencing when individuals intentionally disregard conservation laws and engage in large-scale poaching is not a deterrent. Get tough laws, and community awareness is key in protecting wildlife. However, the sentencing handed down does not reflect the serious sentencing the public would expect in this case,” stated In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner Doll Stanley.

MEDIA CONTACT: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters defending animals, people, and the environment through education, campaigns, and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, California, and rural Mississippi since 1983. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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