Incident Summary Report

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

8535 NORTHLAKE BLVD
WEST PALM BEACH, FL.
Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
9/20/2019 10:11:23 AM ISR064003 (01) FWSA19OFF010528 / INVESTIGAT / WN547 TURNER, WADE
FWSA19CAD003282
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
FL0438000 07/01/2019 00:00:44 - Clearance:
08/26/2019 00:00:00
Offense Description

LOCATION(S)
County Location Type Location Description
MARTIN INCIDENT LOCATION RESIDENTIAL AREA
Street Number Street Apt/Lot/Bldg City State Zip Code Phone Number Ext.
SW RANCHWOOD STREET PALM CITY FL 34990

Person: DEFENDANT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
TIMOTHY JEAN KEPKE WHITE MALE 5'11" 150 BLONDE HAZEL
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
FWC14MNI001238 08/19/1992 26 , FL, UNITED STATES K120810922990 FL E
Addresses
• RESIDENCE / 6298 SE CROTON PLACE, HOBE SOUND, FL 33455 / 772-678-5767

Person: VICTIM
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
UNKNO UNKNO UNKNO
STATE OF FLORIDA 3'01" 1 BALD
WN WN WN
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
FWC19MNI041145 03/03/1845 174 ,,
Addresses
• / /

Person: CO-DEFENDANT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
NOAH TYNER OSBORNE WHITE MALE 6'02" 165 BROWN HAZEL
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
FWC15MNI015878 11/07/1996 22 , FL, UNITED STATES O216638964070 FL E
Addresses
• RESIDENCE / 3153 S KANNER HWY, STUART, FL 34994 / 772-240-2351

Charge: STATE STATUTE

Counts Charge Arrest Offense Code Description
1 379.409(1) CONSERVATION-ANIMALS

Incident Summary Report Page 1 of 5

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
9/20/2019 10:11:23 AM ISR064003 (01) FWSA19OFF010528 / INVESTIGAT / WN547 TURNER, WADE
FWSA19CAD003282
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
FL0438000 07/01/2019 00:00:44 - Clearance:
08/26/2019 00:00:00
Offense Description

Charge Degree Charge Level General Offense Code

THIRD DEGREE FELONY PRINCIPAL
Charge Description
ILLEGAL KILLING, POSSESSING, OR CAPTURING OF ALLIGATORS OR OTHER CRCODILIA OR EGGS

Charge: STATE STATUTE

Counts Charge Arrest Offense Code Description
1 828.12(1) CONSERVATION-ANIMALS
Charge Degree Charge Level General Offense Code
FIRST DEGREE MISDEMEANOR PRINCIPAL
Charge Description
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Narrative: INITIAL
Narrative Date/Time Narrative Synopsis
9/23/2019 11:19:00 AM
Reporting Officer Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Org/Unit
FWSA\SO
TURNER, WADE INVESTIGAT WN547 REGION A\ST
LUCIE
Officer Signature Officer Agency
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
On August 26, 2019, I received a complaint submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Wildlife Alert Program. The alert contained a video from social media, of a white male
said to be Timothy Jean Kepke (TJ). In the video, Kepke is seen holding an alligator in his left hand,
enticing and allowing the alligator to bite his right forearm. Once the alligator releases it's bite, Kepke
maintains his hold of the alligator, and pours a Coors beer into the alligators mouth, causing the
alligator to aggressively react The video terminates.

On September 17, 2019, at approximately 1155 hours, I arrived at Kepke's residence located at
6298 SE Croton Place, Hobe Sound, Florida. Contact was made with Timothy Jean Kepke, D.O.B.
8/19/1992. I requested Kepke to speak with me reference the complaint I received. I informed Kepke I
had a video I would like him to watch, and invited him into my patrol vehicle. Kepke voluntarily agreed
to speak with me, and sat on my front passenger seat. During the interview, I played the alligator bite
video for Kepke, and asked that he tell me the details of that event. Initially, Kepke advised he could
not remember the details of the event. Through further questioning, the following information was
obtained from Kepke;

· Kepke agreed the video was of him.

Incident Summary Report Page 2 of 5

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
9/20/2019 10:11:23 AM ISR064003 (01) FWSA19OFF010528 / INVESTIGAT / WN547 TURNER, WADE
FWSA19CAD003282
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
FL0438000 07/01/2019 00:00:44 - Clearance:
08/26/2019 00:00:00
Offense Description

· Kepke agreed he was in possession of an alligator.

· Kepke agreed he allowed the alligator to bite his arm.
· Kepke agreed to pouring Coors beer into the alligators mouth.
· This event occurred between six and three months ago.
· Kepke advised an unknown person on a small boat caught the alligator.
· The alligator was caught around 10:00 p.m.
· Three people including Kepke were on the boat.
· Kepke is not an employee of FWC, not a registered trapper, and does not possess an alligator
harvest permit.
· Kepke possessed the alligator long enough to bring the alligator to land.
· Alligator was released alive.
· The alligator was caught bare handed.
· Kepke identified the person who captured/caught the alligator was Noah Osborne.
· Third person on the boat was Catlyn Floyd.
· These actions occurred along Ranchwood Street, Palm City, also known as River Ranch.
· This event occurred two and a half to three months ago.
· Kepke consumed a couple of beers, but was not intoxicated.
· Interview concluded at 1213 hours. Interview was recorded by the use of department issued
body camera.

On September 17, 2019, at approximately 1254 hours, I received a phone call from Noah Osborne,
from phone number 772-240-2351. I informed Osborne I would need to call him back at a later time.
At approximately 1300 hours, contact was made with a male subject who once again identified himself
as Noah Osborne. Osborne was aware of the situation and was requested to submit to an audio
recorded interview, which he consented. The following information was obtained from Osborne;

· Osborne agreed to catching the alligator along Ranchwood Street in Palm City.
· Osborne shined a flashlight down the bank and spotted an alligator.
· Osborne removed his boots, rolled up his pants, stepped into the water and caught the alligator
bare handed.
· The alligator was caught from land, and no boats were involved.
· This event occurred two months ago. End of July or beginning of August.
· Osborne gave the alligator to Kepke at Kepke's request.
· The alligator bite was probably a combination of a Kepke's actions and a dare.
· Osborne could not recall Catlyn Floyd being present.
· Osborne recorded the event on his phone utilizing Snapchat.

Incident Summary Report Page 3 of 5

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
9/20/2019 10:11:23 AM ISR064003 (01) FWSA19OFF010528 / INVESTIGAT / WN547 TURNER, WADE
FWSA19CAD003282
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
FL0438000 07/01/2019 00:00:44 - Clearance:
08/26/2019 00:00:00
Offense Description

· Osborne is not an employee of FWC, not a registered trapper, and does not possess an alligator
harvest permit.
· Osborne consumed beer, but was not intoxicated. Maybe a buzz.
· Osborne's opinion was that Kepke was not impaired during the events of the alligator bite.
· The alligator was released unharmed.
· The phone call was disconnected and contact with Osborne has been unsuccessful up to the
completion of this report.

On September 21, 2019, at approximately 0909 hours, I made contact with Catlyn Floyd, D.O.B.
03/03/1994, at her residence. At this time, with her consent, I conducted an interview with Floyd, who
occupied my front passenger seat. The following information was obtained from Floyd;

· Kepke called Floyd, requesting she come to Ranchwood Street, to give him a ride.
· Kepke was in possession of the alligator upon Floyd's arrival.
· The alligator was captured/possessed at the big culvert on Ranchwood Street.
· Floyd confirmed the subject in the alligator bite video to be TJ (Timothy Kepke).
· Observed one to two unknown persons with Kepke.
· This event occurred approximately three months ago.
· Floyd did not observe any other persons in possession of the alligator.
· TJ said, "Watch this." Then stuck his arm out and enticed the alligator to bite his arm.
· TJ tried convincing the other person to allow the alligator to bite his nipple.
· After the video stops, Kepke released the alligator alive.
· No vessels were seen at the incident location.
· Knowing Kepke personally, (common child together), Floyd felt he was intoxicated, but knew
what he was doing.
· The alligator bite TJ due to his actions, rather than out of defense.
· Interview concluded at 0928 hours. Interview was recorded by the use of department issued
body camera.

Based on the video evidence and statements given by Kepke and Osborne, I do find probable
cause, during the year of 2019, within the jurisdiction of Palm City, Martin County, Florida, Kepke and
Osborne unlawfully captured and possessed an alligator. Additionally, Kepke carelessly handled the
alligator, allowing the alligator to bite his arm, then pour an unnatural substance (Coors beer), into the
alligators mouth in an act of animal cruelty.

Florida State Statutes 379.409(1); It is unlawful to intentionally kill, injure, possess, or capture, or
attempt to kill, injure, possess, or capture, an alligator or other crocodilian, or the eggs of an alligator or
other crocodilian, unless authorized by the rules of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Incident Summary Report Page 4 of 5
Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
9/20/2019 10:11:23 AM ISR064003 (01) FWSA19OFF010528 / INVESTIGAT / WN547 TURNER, WADE
FWSA19CAD003282
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
FL0438000 07/01/2019 00:00:44 - Clearance:
08/26/2019 00:00:00
Offense Description

Any person who violates this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, in addition to such other punishment as may be provided by law.

Florida State Statutes 828.12(1); A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments,
deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes
the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane
manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine
of not more than $5,000, or both.

At the completion of this investigation, evidence (DVD-R disc), containing the video and audio
recorded statement of Osborne, was submitted to Jupiter Evidence temporary locker #4. An arrest
warrant affidavit was submitted to the Martin County State Attorneys Office for filing of charges, and
approved by the judge.

Case cleared.
Officer: Approving Supervisor (Supplement 01)
Officer Name Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Agency
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE
CARCASSES, ANDREW D LIEUTENANT W0029
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Approval Date / Time Officer Signature
9/23/2019 2:40:53 PM
Officer Name Involvement On Report / Officer Agency
Sup # Rank / ID # Reporting Role Org/Unit
TURNER, WADE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
01 REPORTING OFFICER
INVESTIGAT WN547 FWSA\SO REGION A\ST LUCIE
CARCASSES, ANDREW D FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
01 APPROVING SUPERVISOR
LIEUTENANT W0029 FWSA\SO REGION A\BROWARD

The undersigned certifies and swears that he/she has just and reasonable grounds to believe that the above named Defendant,
committed violation(s), of law, on the below date(s) and time(s), as listed in the narratives associated with this report:
Officer: Reporting Officer (Supplement01)
Officer Name Office Rank Officer ID No Sworn and subscribed before me, the undersigned authority
TURNER, WADE INVESTIGAT WN547 This the ______ day of _________________, __________
DEPUTY OF THE COURT, NOTARY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Officer Agency
OFFICER
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Officer Signature

Incident Summary Report Page 5 of 5