A man was taken into custody when the authorities performed a traffic stop on a truck that allegedly led to the discovery of concealed weapons in the cab and a baby alligator in the bed.
31-year-old Michael Marolla is from Naples.
It was reported that early in the morning on April 8, Marolla was in the front passenger’s seat of a GMC Sierra pickup truck.
At approximately 12:30 am, deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office saw the truck and reported that they knew the driver from other encounters. They said they knew he did not have a valid driver’s license.
The deputies performed a traffic stop, and as they walked up to the vehicle, they reportedly noticed a plastic tub in the bed. It was reported that there was a baby alligator inside the tub.
It is reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires someone to have a license if they want to trap and keep a wild alligator.
When the deputies interacted with the people in the truck, Marolla was identified as the front seat passenger.
The authorities performed a search of the inside of the vehicle, and they reportedly found a gun inside the glove compartment. They also allegedly found a second firearm under the front passenger’s seat.
It was purported that the firearms belonged to Marolla, and he was patted down before being transported to the station.
According to a release by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the deputies found that Marolla was in possession of several syringes holding a substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Marolla was placed under arrest and booked into the county jail on suspicion of two counts of carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a controlled substance (amphetamine), and possession of narcotic equipment. He was released on bond the next day.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is handling the investigation regarding the alligator.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.