Snake breeder to return to Oakdale to face charges

OBERLIN — A snake breeder from Oakdale who was on the lam for seven months is expected to be returned to Allen Parish next week to face animal cruelty charges.

David Beauchemin, 45, who says his real name is Damon James Heynen, has been held without bond in the Wood County, Texas, jail since his arrest in April. He has been fighting extradition to Louisiana.

Allen Parish Chief Deputy Grant Willis said Wednesday that paperwork on a governor’s warrant for Beauchemin has been completed.

Beauchemin was arrested in Quitman, Texas, on a warrant stemming from a March 2010 raid on his snake business south of Oakdale.

Beauchemin’s wife, Tawni, 24, is still sought on an outstanding warrant.

Texas authorities seized more than 75 snakes in a cargo trailer on the Beauchemins’ property in Quitman.

The couple had reportedly been living in a motor home on the property for two to three months.

The Beauchemins failed to appear for their arraignments last September at 33rd Judicial District Court in Allen Parish, where they were charged with 21 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of possession of snakes longer than 12 feet without a permit.

They also face charges of violating interstate commerce laws by selling snakes that were not legal to possess, theft of less than $300 by fraud, telephone harassment and cyberstalking.

Allen Parish and state authorities found more than 200 snakes, including pythons in the 16to 19-foot range, and other animals during a raid of the Beauchemins’ home and snake business, High End Herps Inc.

The couple operated Happy Hounds Rescue at the same location.

The property has been sold and cleaned up, said Allen Parish District Attorney Todd Nesom.

State legislators approved a measure last year regulating the buying, handling and selling of exotic snakes in Louisiana.

It requires permits for those who possess venomous snakes and those longer than 8 feet and licenses for those buying or handling poisonous snakes or constrictors for resale or propagation.

Commercial snake businesses must be periodically checked for compliance with state law.
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• LA: Snake breeder to return to Oakdale - EricWI, Fri Jul 8 15:39:10 2011