A 48-year-old Missouri man was arrested Tuesday in Clinton County after state officials seized a nearly four-foot long American alligator from him.

According to Ed Cross with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, their office had received a complaint that Steven Ceriotti was operating a reptile exhibit in Illinois without specialty use permits. Ceriotti operates “Serengeti Steve’s” out of Ballwin, Mo.

Cross says complaints claimed Ceriotti had a 46-inch alligator he would allow children to hold without the animal’s snout being bandaged shut. He also was reported to have large snakes he would allow people to hold without a keeper to help hold the snake’s head.

A state herpetologist accompanied Conservation officers in seizing the alligator. Ceriotti was allowed to keep his snakes, however.

He was taken to the Clinton County Jail where he posted $150 bond and was released.

A conservation violation against Ceriotti was filed Wednesday in Clinton County court for alleged illegal possession of a reptile – the charge is a criminal misdemeanor. He’s next due in court July 23.