A Frostproof man who allegedly armed himself "for self-defense against alligators" ended up in handcuffs instead, after a Polk County deputy patrolling private agricultural land found a loaded handgun and loose ammo on Monday. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Steven Brent Steedley, now faces multiple felony counts tied to weapons and an alleged stolen firearm.
Deputy spots trespasser roaming Polk farmland
According to deputies, a Polk County Sheriff's Office patrol on private agricultural land around 3:30 p.m. Monday turned up more than just a suspicious figure. The deputy spotted a man where he was not supposed to be, confirmed he was trespassing and moved in for an arrest. A search turned up six rounds of 9mm ammunition in the man's pocket, details that were reported by the Tampa Free Press.
Loaded Ruger, 'gator' excuse and a stolen-gun link
Not far from where the deputy stopped him, investigators say they found a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun and a holster. Steedley admitted the firearm was his, according to deputies, and said he carried it to protect himself from alligators. A records check did not help his case. The gun had been reported stolen in a 2022 residential burglary, and Steedley was booked on charges of armed trespassing, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft of a firearm.
Authorities say Steedley is no stranger to the system. He has prior felony convictions from 2001, including an aggravated battery on a pregnant victim in Hendry County and a controlled-substance case in Lee County. When deputies first pulled the 9mm rounds from his pocket, he reportedly tried to distance himself from the ammo, telling them, "I didn't know those were in there," according to the Tampa Free Press.
What Florida law says about felons and firearms
Under Florida law, people with felony convictions are barred from having guns or ammunition at all. Chapter 790 of the Florida Statutes, including Section 790.23, makes possession of a firearm or ammo by a convicted felon a separate felony offense. Lawmakers designed the statute to mirror federal restrictions on felons and firearms, and a conviction can carry significant prison time if prosecutors choose to pursue the charge. The full language is available in the Florida Statutes.
Wildlife officials: call the hotline, skip the vigilante gator control
For anyone genuinely worried about reptiles, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has far different advice than stuffing a pistol in your waistband. The agency urges people to keep their distance from alligators, never feed them and report nuisance animals to the FWC hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR instead of taking matters into their own hands. Officials note that alligator attacks are rare, and that trying to kill, capture or move a gator yourself can create both safety risks and potential legal problems.
FWC operates a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to deal with problem animals, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers guidance and safety resources for protecting both people and pets.
What happens next in Polk County court
Steedley remains in custody on the listed charges while the case moves into the Polk County court system. Prosecutors will review the arrest report and decide whether to file formal charges, and a judge will determine any bond conditions and future hearing dates.
