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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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WISH (Indianapolis, Indiana) 15 November 06 Confiscated Venomous Snakes Headed to Reptile Zoo (Marlee Ginter)
More than a dozen illegal poisonous snakes are on their way to a Kentucky zoo after being confiscated from a house on the city's east side.
The snakes were dangerous and one reptile expert said they were in the worst condition he's seen in a confiscation. He said malnutrition could make them weaker but abuse could make them more violent.
The investigation was prompted after the owner was bit by one of his snakes and hospitalized. Cobras, Vipers and rattle snakes were all caged and confiscated.
24-Hour News 8 first brought you the investigation that lead to 47-year-old Michael Fillenwarth arrested for housing 15 illegal poisonous snakes.
Jason Wooldridge had no idea they were next door. "I hope they don't get out period. Someone that has them should know what they're doing."
Reptile experts from Kentucky examined, took pictures and bagged up the venomous snakes noting most were mistreated. One even had broken ribs.
"With these animals they're in such bad condition I don't know if they could even cause a serious bite. It's like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun, eventually something is going to go wrong," Jim Harrison with the Kentucky Reptile Zoo said.
They took in several species of rattle snakes and even a Gaboon viper that has cardio venom. Even survive the bite you could end up with permanent heart damage.
Fillenwarth didn't notify neighbors about the snakes and didn't get a permit. Both are required by law. News 8 checked and no one in Marion County has a permit.
"Not a single person in Marion County," conservation officer Angela Goldman said.
News 8 asked Goldman if there could be more like this.
"Absolutely. This is a perfect case of what is out there that we don't know about," Goldman said.
"Just in case they got out I want to be able to help or make sure my kids are inside or know what to look for," Wooldridge said.
Fillenwarth is out of jail, partly because of the medication he's on for his recent snake bite and because he's not believed to be a threat.
The snakes will remain at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo pending Fillenwarth's court date.
Confiscated Venomous Snakes Headed to Reptile Zoo