Ron Bergeron vs. the gator

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ALLIGATOR ATTACK INCIDENT REPORT
2. STATE ATTORNEY 2oTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LETTER
3. INCIDENT SUMMARY REPORT
4. INCIDENT SUMMARY REPORT SUPPLEMENTAL
5. DRIVERS LICENSE INFORMATION
6. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
7. BITE PHOTOGRAPH LOG
8. BITE PHOTOGRAPHS
9. LOCATION OF INCIDENT PHOTOGRAPH LOG
10. LOCATION OF INCIDENT PHOTOGRAPHS
11. MEDICAL REPORT PAPERS
FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
ALLIGATOR ATTACK INCIDENT REPORT
EXHIBIT 1.25B
VICTM INFORMATION
Name:
RONNIE MILTON BERGERON
Sex:
M
W
Race:
WORK # 1-954-680-6 100
DOB 09-15-43
Age:
62
Weight:
170
Height:
5' 09"
LOCATION OF ATTACK
Exact Location:
GREEN GLADES WEST
Nearest City:
CLEWISTON
County:
HENDRY
Region:
SOUTH
ALLIGATOR INFORMATION
Total Length:
7-8 FEET
S-V Length:
NIA
NIA
Weight:
Deformities:
Sex:
NIA
NONE OBSERVED
Other Information:
ALLIGATOR WAS SUNNING ITSELF ON THE SHORELINE PRIOR TO ATTACK.
DETAILS OF ATTACK
Date:
04/30/06
Time
1000 HOURS
Sunrise
0547
Part of body seized or
Sunset
1855
Water Depth
15 FEET
NIA
LEFT HAND: CRUSHED PINKY FINGER, BROKE RING FINGER, PUNCTURE WOUNDS ON KNUCKLE
Injuries Sustained:
Was attack provoked?
YES
Was alligator(s) fed prior to attack?
Did alligator(s) attack more than once?
YES
VOLUNTARILY WRESTLING WITH THE ALLIGATOR
Possible Motive?
Was the victim saved?
YES
Were dogs or other pets present?
What activity was victim engaged in prior to attack?
Was the alligator observed prior to the attack?
NO
GIVING A TOUR OF HIS PROPERTY TO HIS GUEST
YES
Number of persons injured?
Other Details:
FOR HIS INJURIES, VICTIM WAS ADMlTTED TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC IN WESTON, FLORIDA.
(Attach supporting reports or clippings. Use back for additional information)
.
OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY
REPRESENTING: Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida
CHARLOTTE
P.0. Box 387
LnBelle, FL 33975-0387
COLLIER
GLADES
Telephone (863) 674-4033
FAX (863) 674-4037
HENDRY
Website: n~ww.sao.cjis2O.or.g
LEE Stephen B. Russell
May 12,2006 State Attorney
Officer Stephen J. Farmer
P.O. Box 324 M ~ o r eHaven, F! 3347 1 Re: Complaint Filed Against: Ronnie Bergeron Complaint Number: 1036409 Dear Officer Farmer
I have personally reviewed the material submitted to this office by law enforcement. However,
we are unable to take any action at this time because the evidence submitted is legally insufficient
for criminal prosecution.
If you desire to discuss this matter with us, or if you have any additional information or evidence,
was not included in your complaint, please contact the undersigned at the number above.
* Si usted necesita esta inforrnacion en Espaiiol, por favor, llame a la Fiscalia al nilmero listadn arriha
Gracias.
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CL..SERVATION COMMISSION
DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT INCIDENTISUMMARY REPORT
~VENILE
ORIGINAL
SUPPLEMENT
IncidentSummary Report Number
Region
06-SR-26-4415
South
Specific Location
Other Agency Report Number
N 26 15.640 Lon.= W 81 06.526
NIA
IncidentOatellime
Agency OR1Number
FLO
268000
04130106 AT 1000 HRS
Time Dispatched(mil) Time Arrived (mil)
NIA
Lati.=
NIA
Location GREEN GLADES WEST
Incident
7 T pe
Felon
7
FederalFishery Case
Other
Description ALLIGATOR ATTACK INCIDENT
Identifier
(XI Defendant
Co-Defendant
C] Witness
Victim
First, MI, Last or Business
( Citation #
I ResidencePhone ICell Phone
DOB
RONNIE MILTON BERGERON
1 09115143 1 (954)680-3934 1 ( ) Statute Violation Number
Address
21111 SW 16THSTREET WESTON, FL 33332-1916
FAC 68A-25.002(1)
Identifier
Defendant
Co-Defendant
C] Witness
Victim
( Residence Phone ICell Phone
DOB
First, MI, Last or Business
I Citation #
I ( ) ( ) Address
Statute Violation Number
A
A ldentifier
I
Defendant
First,. MI,. Last or Business
I
Co-Defendant
Citation #
DOB
( )
StatuteViolation Number
Address
[7 Victim
Witness
I Residence Phone ICell Phone
-
I (
)
-
I
Reporting personlAgency
Address
Inv. Stephen Farmer #M464 1FFWCC
8535 Northlake blvd
INCIDENTISUMMARYREPORT NARRATIVE
Residence Phone ICell Phone
(561)625-5128 1 ( ) -
On May 5th, 2006, 1 , Investigator Stephen Farmer, With the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission received
an
incident
in reference to an alligator attack. I was informed that Ronnie Milton Bergeron wlm dob 09/15/43 was attacked by
N
A an alligator somewhere near the Big Cypress Indian Reservation.
R
On May 6th , I was able to speak with Bergeron about the incident. Bergeron told me on April 30th , prior to the attack,
he was giving a tour to his guests on his Green Glades West property in Hendry County. At approximately 1000 hours he
A observed an alligator 7 to 8 feet in length sunning itself on the shoreline of one of his ponds. During that time, Bergeron,
T demonstrated what he called "an old cracker tradition" to his guests, began to wrestle with the alligator.
I
While wrestling with the alligator, Bergeron stated the alligator wrapped its tail around his leg. After this, the alligator
V
E began to roll him into the water. Once in the water, the alligator bit down on Bergerons left hand and proceeded to take him to
the bottom of the pond. While on the bottom of the the alligator still wouldn't let go of Bergerons hand. Bergeron stated he
began to strike the alligator on the nose (as he was taught as a boy) several times. After striking the
Number of lnvestigativeMiles
( Number of lnvestigativeVessel Hours I Total Number of lnvestigative Hours
197
10
1 12
I swear the above statement is correct and true to the best of my
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned
knoyledge and belief4
authority this
iI
day of
wb4
5109106
A
D
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A
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i&im
f?!ui
Date
STEPHEN JAY FARMER M464
Officer's Name ID#
Reviewed By
(Print)
Deputy of the Court, Notary, or Law EnforcementOfficer
5/09/06
Date
I P h t Name)
Review r' Si natur
L-\
I
-
I
FWCDLE 045 (08105)
.J
Page 1 of 4
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INCIDENTISUMMARYNARRATIVECONTINUATION REPORT#
JUVENILE
06-SR-26-4415
ORIGINAL
SUPPLEMENT
alligator on the nose, it finally let go of Bergerons hand. Bergeronthen proceddedto the surface and exited the pond to begin
seeking medicaltreatment for his hand.
At approximately 1158 hours on April 30th,Bergeronarrived at the Cleveland Clinic Hospitalin Weston, Florida. There
he was treatedfor the injuries he received to his handand hip. According to medicalrecords received from the Cleveland
Clinic, due to the incident, Bergerons5th digit on his left hand (pinky finger) had multiplefractures and some sensory deficit
present (neuro/vascularltendon status). Dueto his wounds, simple suture was performedon the left hands 5th digit. All over
his left handwere irregularwound depths and shapesdue to the alligators bite. Bergeronwas also given TD (tetanus and
diphtheria) Vaccine, Tetanus Immune Globulin, Vicodin, and Zosyn. After receiving his treatment Bergeronwas discharged
home from the hospital in stable condition.
On May 5fi, a news article named "GATOR WRESTLING TYCOON NOW FACESAUTHORITIES,"writen by Buddy
Nevins with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, wrote about the incidentthat accured on April 30th. Mr. Nevins wrote, "Bergeron
said he was touring his 5,000-acre private nature preserve in Hendry County with several guests when he jumped on the back
of an alligator to wrestle it. The alligator dragged Bergeron into deep water and bit his hand before his guests could pull him
out." "Askedwhat he would tell the wildlife officer to stay out of jail, Bergeronquipped: "Maybe 1 wasn't wrestling the alligator.
Maybe it looked lethargic and I was checking its teeth to see if it was okay." A quote stated, "I'l talk to them, but I wasn't
harassingthe alligator. Ididn't hurt it. It hurt me," said Bergeron.
1
On May 9fi , I met with Bergeronat his offices in Weston, Florida. Bergeronstated, I was more than welcome to take
V photographsof his injuries and obtain his medical records. However, he has spoken to his attorney and he doesn't wish to
E give any statements concerning the ordeal until his injuriesget better.
Violation: FAC 68A-25.002(1) No person shall buy, sell, take, possess,transport, or import any American alligator, or
any partthereof, or the nests or eggs of any American alligator except under permitfrom the Executive Director, as otherwise
providedby this Title.. ....
According to FloridaAdministrative Code 68A-1.004(77), the word Take is definded The term shall includetaking,
attempting to take, pursuing, hunting, molesting, capturing. or killing any wilflife or freshwater fish, or their nestsor eggs by
any means whether or not such actions result in obtaining possessionof such wildlife or freshwater fish or their nests or eggs.
-
Number of Investigative Mles
197
1 Number of InvestigativeVessel Hours I Total Number of InvestigativeHours
10
112
e statement is correct and true to the best of my
5/09/06
Date
Wbq
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned
authoritythis
,
day of
Deputy of the Court, Notary, or Law EnforcementOfficer
N STEPHEN JAY FARMER M464
5/09/06
Date
Officer's Name ID#
FWCDLE 045 (08105)
\
CPrint Name)
,,
I
Page 2 of 4
Gator wrestling tycoon now faces authorities
Wildlife agents will investigate the
' interaction'
By Buddy Nevins
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
State wildlife agents want to talk to real estate mogul Ronald Bergeron about his
weekend wrestling match with a wild alligator to see if he broke a law that forbids
any harassment of the wild reptiles.
"I'll talk to them, but I wasn't harassing the alligator. Ididn't hurt it. I t hurt me,"
said Bergeron, 62, who ended up with two broken fingers and puncture wounds on
his hand.
Dani Moschella, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, said Thursday the agency's officers would be "talking to all relevant
people" about Sunday's incident.
Bergeron said he was touring his 5,000-acre private nature preserve in Hendry
County with several guests when he jumped on the back of an alligator to wrestle it.
The alligator dragged Bergeron into deep water and bit his hand before his guests
could pull him out.
The alligator swam away.
The officers will determine whether Bergeron's attempt to wrestle the alligator was
harassment under the law, Moschella said. Bergeron said he jumped on the alligator
as a treat for the guests who donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club for a
weekend at his preserve.
"Any alligator attack is investigated by our agency," Moschella said. "We want to
know about any human-alligator interaction that is negative."
Anyone convicted of harassing an alligator faces up to a year in jail and a fine up to
$500, she said.
Asked what he would tell the wildlife officer to stay out of jail, Bergeron quipped:
"Maybe I wasn't wrestling the alligator. Maybe i t looked lethargic and I was checking
its teeth to see if i t was okay."
BITE PHOTOGRAPH LOG
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
1. PHOTOGRAPH OF BERGERONS LEFT HAND
2. PHOTOGRAPH OF BERGERONS LEFT HAND
--
mCIDENT1SUMMARY NARRATIVE CONTINUATION
=<R-?rr4415
REPORT#
JUVENILE
El
ORIOINAL
SUPPLEMENT
N
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I
v
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PllocOgngaed 9.(PlearsPrint)
Date5ime
Loution
STEPHEN JAY FARMER M464
BERGERoN OFFICESlWESTON,FL
I swear UIC above statement is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
A
D
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05-09-0611443 HOURS
Sworn to and subscribed before me. the uodersigned authority
this
day of
~ P H E N / I A YFARMER M464
Deputy of the C o l a Notary, OI Law Enfwament 0iIice1
( Print Name)
Dnie
Page
4
of
4
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LOCATION OF INCIDENT PHOTOGRAPH LOG
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT:
1. PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ENTRANCE "GREEN GLADES WEST' WHERE
INCIDENT ACCURED.
2. PHOTOGRAPH OF MAN MADE POND WHERE INCIDENT PROBABLY
ACCURED.
3. PHOTOGRAPH OF 7 TO 8 FOOT ALLIGATOR IN MAN MADE POND.
REPORT #
INCHDENTISUMMARYNARRATIVE CONTINUATION
06SR-2-8
,
JUVENILE
ORIGINAL
SUPPLEMENT
1
STITHEN JAY FARMER M464
I
GREEN GLADES WEST
1
0549-0611653 HOURS
Sworn to and subscribedbefore me, the undersigned aulhwrty
swear the above statement is corredand true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
A
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this
HEN JAY FARMER M464
day of
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