A Leesburg man was arrested last week after authorities discovered a mutilated alligator carcass near a home in Montverde, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
FWC officers responded to a call on the morning of July 13 reporting a dead alligator near a brush line along Bay Avenue. Upon arrival, they were informed by a resident that her neighbor had asked her how to clean an alligator the previous day, prompting concern.
Alleged Brutal Killing of the Alligator
According to the arrest report:
- The caller asked her neighbor where the alligator came from.
- The neighbor told her a child caught the reptile but was unable to remove a fishing lure from its mouth.
- The child then allegedly proceeded to beat the alligator.
When investigators located the dismembered carcass, they learned that a man—later identified as Hunter Crumbo, 28—had been seen catching the alligator from a nearby canal and beating it with a golf club.
One neighbor reportedly told authorities he attempted to put the alligator “out of its misery” but denied any involvement in mutilating the carcass.
Suspect Confessed to Beating Alligator
Crumbo was interviewed at the Tavares Department of Corrections, where he admitted to capturing and beating the alligator. He was subsequently arrested and charged with killing or injuring an alligator without authority, a violation under Florida wildlife protection laws.
History of Criminal Activity
This is not Crumbo’s first run-in with the law. Jail records show:
- Multiple arrests in Lake County dating back to 2020.
- Previous charges include violating a domestic violence injunction, criminal mischief, and driving with a revoked license due to a DUI.
In a separate incident earlier this year, Crumbo was also taken into custody for digging up artifacts from an archaeological site at Ferndale Preserve, another violation reported by the FWC.
Investigation Ongoing
The FWC continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of the alligator. The agency emphasizes that alligators are a protected species in Florida, and harming them without proper authorization is illegal and subject to criminal penalties.
