Dead alligators lead to two arrests

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — Two Vero Beach residents were arrested early Wednesday after one admitted shooting an alligator and another was spotted putting pink-colored meat in a cabinet, according to recently released arrest affidavits.

Ernest Ray Hublur, 18, reportedly was shining a light on Alderman ranch off Shinn Road about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

State Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and county sheriff’s officials made contact with Hublur, and as the FWC official approached Hublur’s vehicle, he said he found an American alligator on the tailgate. A .22 caliber rifle and a spotlight occupied the passenger seat, officials said.

The affidavits gave this account:

Hublur reportedly admitted shining the light into ditches. He said he saw the alligator and shot it.

Hublur, of the 7300 block of 4th Street in Vero Beach, was arrested on a felony charge of taking an alligator and a misdemeanor charge of possession of gun and light at night.

Meanwhile, an FWC official spied a woman at a home in the area pulling pink meat in a clear plastic bag out of a refrigerator. She then put the bag in a cabinet in the kitchen.

The 62-year-old woman, identified as Archie Dean Driggers, escorted the FWC official in. Driggers pulled out the bag of meat, and the FWC official noted it “appeared to be fresh alligator meat.”

Driggers reportedly said that “we had a gator what else do you want to know.”

Driggers faces a felony charge of tampering with evidence.

What, if any, relationship existed between Driggers, of the 1400 block of 90th Avenue in Vero Beach, and Hublur wasn’t specified in the affidavits.

A St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy was at the scene, but his agency referred questions to the FWC. Clarification from that agency wasn’t immediately available.