JOURNAL MESSENGER (Manassas, Virginia) 28 August 07 Illegal reptile seized in Occoquan (Jaclyn Pitts)
Authorities with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have seized an exotic crocodilian reptile from an Occoquan home and charged its owner with felony sale and possession of illegal wildlife.
According to a search warrant filed in Prince William Circuit Court, Virginia Conservation Officer Mark DiLuigi of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries seized a caiman, its tank, light and other aquarium items from a residence at 448 Overlook Drive in Occoquan on Aug. 8.
Caiman are native to Central and South America and can grow to three or four feet in length, according to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Web site.
Authorities were alerted by a complaint made Aug. 8 regarding a listing on the Web site Craigslist.org advertising the reptile for sale, according to the search warrant.
DiLuigi called the number in the advertisement, according to the search warrant, and a man answered who identified himself as "John."
John told DiLuigi over the phone that it was "illegal to have these types of animals in Virginia but that there was no way for anyone to find out," according to the affidavit.
DiLuigi and John agreed to meet, and at 3:50 p.m. Aug. 8, a plain-clothed DiLuigi met John at a parking lot in Occoquan, according to the search warrant affidavit.
DiLuigi was then invited to John's home on Overlook Drive to see the reptile, according to the search warrant affidavit.
The caiman was in an aquarium in a bedroom in the home, according to the search warrant affidavit.
John told DiLuigi he would accept $425 cash for the caiman, its tank and light, according to the affidavit.
DiLuigi expressed interested in purchasing the caiman, according to the affidavit, and returned Aug. 9.
"John," identified as Sean W. Hammond, 21, was then arrested and charged with possessing and selling illegal wildlife, according to court records.
Selling illegal wildlife for more than $200 is a Class 6 felony, according to Virginia State Code.
Selling illegal wildlife for less than $200 is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Hammond was taken into custody at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail and released Aug. 10 on a $1,000 bond, according to court records.
Hammond is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Prince William General District Court on Sept. 11.
If convicted of the felony charge, Hammond could face between one and five years in prison, up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

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