Alligator found during search of Clio man’s home

A Clio man was arrested after officers executing a search of his home found an alligator in his bathtub Thursday morning.

Lloyd Elvis Jackson, 35, of 2201 S.C. 9 East, was arrested without incident and is charged with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of an American alligator, according to a press release from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office.

The search was the result of an investigation prompted by complaints from residents. It was conducted by deputies with assistance from the Bennettsville Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team because of the high risk involved, according to the release.

Initially during the search, officers found several weapons and ammunition, as well as digital scales believed to be used to weigh illegal narcotics, inside the residence.

When they entered a bathroom, they found the alligator in the tub, the release said.

S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers responded to the scene and took possession of the animal.

The sheriff’s office will present the matter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution on the weapons charge the suspect faces.

The criminal domestic violence charge against Jackson was filed in connection with a recent incident involving his wife, sheriff’s Lt. Jamie Seales said.

Jackson is in custody at the Marlboro County Detention Center in Bennettsville after bond was denied for his release Friday.

He already was out on bond for criminal domestic violence and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Seales said.