Calvin Lee Devol Jr., 29, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail for charges stemming from grand theft auto, altering a vehicle identification number, and killing an alligator without a license, as reported by the Palm Beach Post.
Devol told wildlife officers that his rifle was purchased from “Bo”, his pickup truck was purchased from a “blue eyed Cuban, and a dead alligator found in the back of the truck was a gift from a co-worker.
He claims that none of the three items were stolen – by him.
Devol, a construction worker from Belle Glade, said, “I didn't kill the alligator, it was given to me by a co-worker.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s report shows that Devol was discovered on U.S. 441 in Canal Point on November 16 with a dead alligator in the bed of his gray 2005 Ford F-250 truck.
Wildlife officer Christopher Douglas said that the alligator had been shot in the head with a small caliber gun and placed in a ice covered plastic bags.
Devol claimed that he had just retrieved the animal, already dead, on State Road 80 earlier that day.
On November 1 the official recreational alligator hunting season had ended in Florida.
Devol, claiming that he had paid “Bo” $50 for the Remington 597 .22-caliber rifle he had on him, was surprised to learn that it had been reported stolen in Lakeland.
Douglas then noted that there were two different types of paint on the truck: The truck’s bed had one color while the rest of the pickup had another. He decided to check further and found that both the dashboard, and doorjamb, had been painted over.
And, that the newer paint job hit the VIN, Vehicle Identification Number.
Next Douglas noted that the vehicle didn’t lock, the ignition assembly was loosened from the steering column and, he was able to start the engine without the benefit of a key.
Finally, after looking elsewhere in the vehicle for other hidden VINs, Douglas was able to locate one that hadn’t been altered and learn that vehicle too had been stolen, this time from Indian River County.
The insurance company had paid $30,743 in a stolen car claim already. Devol maintained that he had purchased the car from a “blue-eyed Cuban” for $10,000 in cash.
It’s been three months between the November incident and the charges being filed in February. No information was available to explain the delay.
Devol told a reporter, in his own defense that, “I may have bought a stolen truck, but I didn't steal a truck, I didn't alter the VIN.”
If Devol had volunteered what his plans were for the dead animal, the information was not available in the police report.
The president of All American Gator Products, Brian Woods, confirmed that the animal may have been worth up to $300 retail and $180 wholesale, for its meat alone. The hide could fetch up to $10 a foot.
Before the economy plummeted the hide of an alligator could garner $45 a foot.
Devol has been arrested eight time between 2004 and 2010, per jail records, on charges from aggravated battery on a pregnant person, carrying a
concealed weapon and, a
probation violation.
If you are headed to trial to face criminal charges, whether or not you are defending yourself against multiple crimes, you must contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Once in court, you can benefit by a defense prepared by an experienced litigator.
