By Bailey Elise McBride

A number of reptiles, including an alligator, a diamondback rattlesnake and six pythons, were confiscated by the UA Police Department from a room in Maple Hill West residence hall Thursday, resulting in a fine for two students from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, police officials said.

Jacob Miller, 18, and Michael Robbins, 18, told police they were getting free reptiles off the Web site Craigslist and reselling them for profit.

“A few years back we had students bring bats to campus and release them in a guy’s room,” said Gary Crain, UAPD public information officer, “but as far as I can remember, this is the first time anyone has collected animals to sell for profit.”

The UAPD was called to Maple Hill West by Kristina Bethea, the coordinator for residence education, who said an anonymous phone call from a parent had suggested that a room contained marijuana and reptiles. Officer Crandall Edwards of the UAPD responded to the case, and upon entering the room, he saw a gopher snake in plain view.

Upon further investigation in Miller’s room, Officer Edwards discovered a diamondback rattlesnake, four white mice, two adult pythons, four baby pythons, a baby alligator and three chameleons.

The secured reptiles were transported to the UAPD station, where they were kept until the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission could take over the investigation. Both Miller and Robbins were issued citations from the Game and Fish Commission totaling $1,240 each.