Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted earlier that on April 29 someone broke into my snake building and stole 4 yearling Eastern Indigos.

Last week Lt. Tommy Brown of the Mt Olive Police Department made 2 arrests. Both were locals hooked on cocaine and meth. The first was a 17 yr old that confessed and identified an 18 yr old that was also involved. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, breaking and entering, and larceny. Arrest is pending for a third person believed to have been involved also.

Sad news is the snakes were not recovered. Some sources say they were dumped in the woods somewhere and another says they died while in captivity. Don't know if I will ever know their fate.

Interesting to note, the 17 yr old had visited me about 4 times in the past year including the evening before the theft. He did not come across to me as one who I would suspect. I guess you never know. I had to learn the hard way.

The prosecutor's office has requested information for restitution which I have provided. We will see what happens.
Anyone have any knowledge/experience to share at this point?
Thanks,
Rick Sladick

Glad to hear these pukes have been brought to justice. Its sad that 4 innocent lives (those of the couperi) were probably taken by these morons. At least you can sleep a little easier knowing that the wheels of justice are turning, and lets keep our fingers crossed that those snakes turn up safely.

God bless.
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

It seems like additional charges of cruelty to animals could be brought, and if they did release them, in many states that's a crime too.

Rick,

Glad to hear an apprehension was made in your case. Although I do not believe your snakes ended up in the woods.
I have a hard time believing anything a meth or cocaine user has to say. Possibly, the person they were sold to or traded for is also a user or supplier of these drugs. It would be hard to get these guys to turn over on their supplier.

I am glad you did get some closer on your missing snakes. That is an outstanding job done by your Sheriff’s department. Oh, Deputies like doughnuts, just an idea to show your gratitude to the detectives it will make there day. Also a short letter of appreciation to the Sheriff doesn’t hurt either.
Good Luck.
Dann

I agree, these snakes ARE still alive and in someone's possession so, they may turn up yet.

And yes, it is great that arrests have been made so quickly! A letter of appreciation is definitely in order. Any thing that can be done to show that we herpers are good people is beneficial to the herping community as a whole.

I'm sorry you had to go through this especially since it turned out to be someone you know!

Eric

Did the detectives work in conjunction or at least notify Fish and Game authorities? If not you may want to. Additional charges, pertaining to a Federally protected species, can be charged, particularly since a confession was given. They should always "charge up" as the state attourneys office will probably smack them on the hand for a burglary and grand theft charge.

Aren't the Federal laws protecting Indigoes limited to the wild populations?

I'm just guessing but, i'd say no. Otherwise, why would there be a need for a federal permit for a captive bred snake?
I may be wrong though. I have been MANY times before!

Eric

Well the Federal permit is not to keep the Indigo , it's to transport it across state lines. If a transfer is intra state the federal paperwork isn't required.

I know I can can legally pick up, cage, feed, and even harass my captive breed Indigo ( of course I'd never harass mine). These are all things that would land me in front of a judge if I did any of them to a wild Indigo.

I just think all these comments of "Get the Feds involved because it's a federally protected species" are misdirected.

Comments?

If they were not transported across state lines after being stolen, then the Feds have nothing to do with it. If they were transported across state leines for the purpose for selling them then there would be some violations of the Lacey act and possibly the ESA.

There may be additional local or state charges that can be brought regarding cruelty to animals (if they were allowed to die from neglect or abuse)and/or releasing non-native wildlife illegally (if they were, in fact, released).

No,... the Feds should be involved, so that these waste products get everything they deserve, and maybe the snakes will get found that way. Well that's my opinion. Probably catch heck for it, but ain't the first, & won't be the last!
Tony.

First of all:
I am really glad you got your snakes back. Congrats and hell yeah!

Secondly: The individuals you mentioned had come over your house numerous times, gotten familiar with your collection, how the building was constructed and evidently your schedule.. and then ripped you off. That sucked and was wrong, and it makes you very leery of bringing other people over, including customers. Which could potentially impact your LOCAL business but wont harm your internet sales on bit. Lets face it...people suck and will do whatever they can to get over on each other. Ihis is the nature of capitalism, basically: I win at YOUR expense.

May I make a suggestion?

Get dogs...

Big ones..

Keep them in the house and araise them around and in your snake room. Breeds I would heartily suggest:

Pitt Bulls
American Bulldogs
Bull Mastiffs
Belgian Melenwah(Misspelled but the cops use them and they are driven and mean as snake snot)
Rottweiler
English and Neopalitan mastiff
Dogue De bordeau

Pick one or TWO of these raise them in the house and around the snakes, TRAIN them,. obedience train them(Have to with the bigger breeds especially) and then sit back, your snakes will be fine. So will your house.

When I had my Pitt and even my Pitt/Bulldog cross,I never had one bit of problem. They slept inside the snake room or outside its doorway.

Just a suggestion

Big dogs.....gotta love em'

Fred Albury

Congratulations on the "semi" good news. I still hope that the missing snakes will turn up. I have a strong feeling that someone still has them! They were not just dumped into the woods! That is like saying "Oh, after I stole the money I decided to throw it away (instead of buying more drugs). But I hope and pray for the best anyway. . . . .

Take care, Rick (The 03 hatchling I got from you in Oct is doing AWESOME (39.5" and getting some orange around his snout/throat)

Zee