NORTH PORT, Fla - A man has been charged with possession of an American alligator after police found the dead reptile's meat in the refrigerator and on a plate in the man's home.

North Port police reported finding the carcass while responding to a disturbance Saturday at the home of Jeffrey Scott Thursam. He was arrested that day but later released on $250 bail. There was no phone number listed for Thursam.  Police records did not indicate if he had an attorney.

Witnesses told police the 33-year-old Thursam attacked the alligator with a shovel and then processed its meat. Police found the remainder of the alligator tail in the refrigerator, along with its meat on a plate.