INDIANAPOLIS STAR (Indiana) 15 November 06 Man's snake collection deadly, illegal - Owner didn't have permit for venomous reptiles (Tim Evans)

An Indianapolis man is facing criminal charges after conservation officers found 15 venomous snakes at his home, including deadly cobras, rattlesnakes and a puff adder.

Indiana Conservation Officer Angela Goldman said investigators will ask prosecutors to charge Michael Fillenwarth, 47, with 15 counts of possession of a dangerous reptile without a state permit.

The charge is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail on each count.

The snakes were confiscated after conservation officers served a search warrant Monday night at a duplex in the 1600 block of North Bosart Avenue, where Fillenwarth lives alone.

Wildlife officials learned of the snakes after Fillenwarth sought treatment Saturday for a bite from a green mamba, a highly venomous snake from Africa. Emergency medical personnel who transported Fillenwarth to Methodist Hospital alerted Department of Natural Resources officials.

Fillenwarth could not be reached for comment Tuesday, and it was not clear why he kept the 15 snakes. They were stored in plastic tubs and glass aquariums and included two green mambas, two copperheads, three cobras and five rattlesnakes.

"We don't find snakes like this terribly often, but when we do find someone who has venomous snakes, these are the types we typically find," said Goldman. "They are the coveted ones, sort of the Holy Grails for people who want to collect venomous snakes."

Because of medical issues related to his snakebite, Fillenwarth was not jailed Monday. Goldman said he will be summoned to appear in court when the investigation is complete and charges are filed.

Indiana residents can possess venomous snakes with a permit from the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. To obtain a permit, owners must notify neighbors of the snakes and have warning signs and a written recapture plan.

Goodman said Fillenwarth did not have a permit for the snakes, which can be bought online for $40 to several hundred dollars.

State officials said no permits have been issued to Marion County residents, and just 12 have been issued in the state.
Man's snake collection deadly, illegal

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