Deputies on Sunday charged Robert Lee Chason, 22, of the 2600 block of Southwest Martin Avenue, Palm City, and James Hataway, 38, of the 800 block of Southwest 34th Terrace in Palm City, with armed trespassing, possession of American alligator. Joe Chason, 24, of the same address, and a teenage girl, who was not identified in the report, were both charged with trespassing. Hataway faces additional charges of tampering with evidence, illegal method of taking an alligator and other charges.

About 5:11 p.m. Sunday, deputies stopped a pickup on Southwest Citrus Boulevard after receiving reports that occupants in a pickup were trespassing on private property. Before stopping the truck, deputies saw a recently cut alligator in the middle of the road.

While questioning the men, Robert Chason admitted to shooting an alligator and said Hataway threw the tail out of the window. Deputies noticed blood was on Robert Chason's legs, the truck's bed and passenger side, the report states.