Orlando, FL - An Orlando man faces charges for a March incident after he was allegedly caught dumping tires on private property and shooting at an alligator.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), 40-year-old Arisleyder Reina-Tornes was apprehended on March 17th after FWC officers discovered a large number of tires dumped on fenced-off private property with a "no trespassing" sign.
When officers returned to the site two weeks later, they witnessed Reina-Tornes firing a rifle from his vehicle towards the water, and then unloading tires from his trunk.
Reina-Tornes told officers he shot at an alligator in fear of attack, but officers reported the alligator showed no aggression and remained calm throughout the incident.
Reina-Tornes was arrested on charges of littering (commercial), lack of an alligator trapping license, unregistered motor vehicle, and open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
Additional charges are being filed by the State Attorney's Office, including trespassing and improper license plate use.
The Department of Environmental Protection is also pursuing further violations based on their investigation.
Authorities believe Reina-Tornes may have been working with a tire shop during the illegal dumping operation.