( CNN ) -- A Miami man is in a swampy situation after he was caught trying to trade a live alligator for beer at a Florida convenience store . Fernando Caignet Aguilera , 64 , was cited by officials December 10 after he trapped the 4-foot alligator at a nearby park and brought it to the Santa Ana Market , according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino . Aguilera then walked up to the counter asking for a 12-pack of beer in exchange for the alligator . The clerk called Miami police instead . Pino told CNN that never in his 25-year career in law enforcement has he heard of a person capturing an alligator for the purpose of exchanging it for alcohol -- or anything , for that matter . Saying Aguilera apparently needed to `` quench his thirst buds , '' Pino called the incident an `` extremely unusual situation , and a sad situation for the alligator . '' The alligator was unharmed and returned to the wild by wildlife officials , Pino said . Aguilera was not injured in the process of trapping and transporting the gator . He 's been charged by wildlife officials with taking possession and selling an alligator , which is a second-degree misdemeanor . He faces up to six months in jail and a $ 500 fine . Pino was unsure if Aguilera requested a specific brand of beer .
Man traps small alligator in Florida park , tries to exchange it for beer . Score: 7 Man faces up to six months in prison and a $ 500 fine .