The video, obtained by The Smoking Gun, was posted on its website yesterday. It shows a young man drive up to the window and speak to the employee of a Wendy’s restaurant in Palm Beach County, Florida. She gets a large drink and gives it to the man who then hands her some money. While her back is turned to get his change, the man reaches across the seat, retrieves something, and throws it through the open window. While the object appears to be a blur, it was a live three and one-half foot live alligator.
The man drives off before getting his change. When the employee looks back she sees the alligator and then gets up on the window ledge with her feet off the floor. She then goes through the open window and onto the drive-thru.
The incident was investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although it occurred in October, an arrest was not made until Feb. 8, 2016. Joshua James, now 24, was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon without the intent to kill, petty theft and illegal possession of an alligator.
James appeared in court the following day and was released from custody. Palm Beach County Judge Joseph Marx ordered James to stay out of all Wendy’s restaurants, not to possess weapons and not to possess any animals other than the dog that resided in his home. For clarification, the judge added animals include reptiles.
According to James, he found the alligator at the side of a road and decided to play a prank on one of his friends who worked at the Wendy’s location. The Palm Beach Post reported James had no idea he would get so much attention for what he described as “a prank.” He was also surprised at the severity of the charges he is facing. On the illegal possession of an alligator without a license charge, he could receive up to five years in prison.
James’ parents also think the charges are extreme for what was essentially a prank. James also told the media he thinks this will be the end of the pranks he plays.
The alligator, that according to experts would not have hurt anyone unless they got too close to it and it was frightened, was taken from Wendy’s and released into a canal.
