One Florida man was arrested Tuesday when his scaly prank consisting of throwing a 3-and-a-half-foot alligator into the window of a Wendy's restaurant left authorities less than amused. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say the incident, which occurred last October, unfolded when Joshua James, 23, pulled up for his order at the fast-food restaurant in Royal Palm Beach, reported CNN.
However, when the Wendy's employee turned his/her back to James after handing him a drink, James threw the reptile threw the window and into the restaurant.
His mother tried to explain her son's rationale, saying, "He's a prankster. He does stuff like this because he thinks it's funny."
However police didn't find it funny at all, and even though the alligator didn't harm anyone, it was deemed a deadly weapon, leaving James in a less-than-humorous situation. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; illegally killing, possessing or capturing an alligator; and second-degree petit larceny, according to USA Today.
Even though the incident occurred in October, he was only arrested by U.S. Marshalls this week.
During his court appearance Tuesday morning, a judge ordered James to stay out of all Wendy's restaurants, avoid contact or possession with any animals other than his mother's dog, to undergo a mental health evaluation and to avoid possessing any weapons.
He was also ordered to subject himself to random drug and alcohol tests, and if he fails them at any time, he will find himself in prison, according to NBC's West Palm Beach affiliate, WPTV-TV.
James wasn't quoted saying anything about the incident, but his mother was quite vocal, arguing the entire incident has been blown out of proportion.
"I don't even get that," she said. "Just a stupid prank that he did that's now turning into this. Stupid."
James is currently free on $6,000 bond while the alligator was set free in a nearby canal.
