Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Deputy Meagan Nestor
Age: 26
Date of Hire: 05/20/2013

Deputy Damon Laney
Age: 35
Date of Hire: 02/10/2012

Deputy Cory List
Age: 25
Date of Hire: 05/20/2013

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

What:
Deputies were able to free an alligator after it became stuck in a storm drain. The rescued alligator will be transferred to an alligator farm.

When:
The incident occurred at about 5:19 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015.

Where:
The incident occurred at 117th Drive North and 101 Street in Seminole.

Why:
Deputies assigned to Patrol Central District, responded to the above listed address in Seminole after an area resident reported an alligator stuck in the storm drain. The resident told deputies that someone trying to prevent the alligator from getting hit by a vehicle as it was trying to climb out, had pushed it further down into the drain.

Deputies Meagan Nestor, Damon Laney and Cory List arrived on scene, opened the manhole cover and discovered the alligator inside wedged between a pipe and the edge of the drain. The deputies initially used a dog leash to close the alligator’s mouth; and then duct taped it. Next, using the same leash, they lassoed the alligator behind its front legs and hoisted it up and out of the drain. 

Personnel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to take possession of the alligator.

Deputies say the seven-foot female alligator will be transferred to an alligator farm.