Houston-area man arrested for trying to sell alligator online

AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) - Game wardens with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department arrested a man who tried to sell an alligator online last month.

TPWD says on July 22, wardens in Harris County found a posting on the selling app OfferUp for a "toy" alligator.

The post also had a "winky face" emoji, like this ;)

Wardens contacted the seller, posing as an out-of-town rancher looking to buy the gator for his private pond.

The seller met the wardens at a predetermined time and place, where he was arrested.

TPWD says the suspect was "surprised" to find out the rancher and ranch hand were game wardens.