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I think he got off easy

brd Mar 03, 2010 07:38 PM

Here is the artical and I will post a link. There are a couple of pics and a video if you follow the link.

Bradenton, Florida -- Wildlife handler Justin Matthews isn't hiding from his mistakes.

"It was a stupid thing to do, it really was," he told 10 Connects.

This week, he pleaded no contest to charges against him for staging the capture of a 14-foot Burmese python in July. He was arrested in November on charges of misusing the 911 emergency system and threatening the public by mishandling wildlife.

Matthews accepted two years probation and 100 hours of community service on Tuesday.

Photo Gallery: Pictures of Justin Matthews and the python

"I'm never going to step over the line again, do something that was stupid. I tied up a line, there could have been someone having a heart attack or fire or trying to call 911," he said.

10 Connects was among the local media and law enforcement who responded to the Bradenton drainage pipe where Matthews claimed to capture the 14-foot python.

Read: Python caught in drainage pipe a hoax

He later admitted he did it to raise awareness about the dangers pythons pose to the environment and people. The death of a Florida toddler in July spurred the hoax, he said.

"I'm very passionate about what I do. I do the presentations every week, six days a week and I let that passion get me carried away, I stepped over the line," he admitted.

As he continues to give his tours at the wildlife sanctuary he runs in Bradenton, he has no problem admitting what he did was wrong.

"Two wrongs don't make a right," he said.

He's hoping to not only continue his efforts to educate the public about pythons in the right way, but teach another life lesson... when you're wrong, admit it.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=126660&provider=rss
Link
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Replies (9)

natsamjosh Mar 03, 2010 08:03 PM

http://www.bradenton.com/2010/03/02/2099562/snake-trapper-gets-probation-in.html

"The convictions will not affect his permits, but any further infraction involving wildlife could mean revocation, according to Florida Fish & Wildlife spokesman Gary Morse."

Seems kind of hypocritical that someone who blatantly violates the rules in this current environment of python hysteria is allowed to keep his permit and continue to own "reptiles of concern."

Calparsoni Mar 03, 2010 09:20 PM

I completely agree that what the guy did was wrong. I personally think he should sit in jail for a bit to think about what an idiot he is and he should have to pay some sort of fine. But as far as taking his permits and confiscating his private property?????? HE!! NO !!!!!! Think about this for a minute(and ignore his stupid stunt for a minute as well.) think about the reptiles you own which are YOUR personal property. That you bought legally with money that YOU earned that you have kept responsibly. Now imagine that the govt, the only entoty legally empowered to use deadly force to accomplish it's goals decides YOU must pay THEM a hundred dollars a year to be able to keep YOUR personal private property. Not only that but you also have to give up your fourth amendment right to unreasonable search and seizure and allow the state to come into YOUR private residence so they can make sure like your cages are up to their standard. All because a bunch of snakes got loose in the everglades from some wholesaler because they didn't do a good job of policing them in the first place when they knew there were problems on that end of things.
Don't get me wrong like I said this guy should be punished....the more I think about it he should be horse whipped and put in stocks for a week with a big sign telling everyone what an idiot he is. But to take away his personal property????over "wildlife violations" what is that exactly? Did you know that if you pick up a starfish of a beach here in Fl. and you don't have a fishing license the fwc will fine you $93? Does that count? (article in Fl. Today about that during the cold spell. fyi) Did you know that if you help a gopher tortoise across the road and fwc catches you they can give you a ticket? Does that count? I once heard Kevin Enge mention at a talk for the CFHS that technically it is a crime to rerelease a brown anole after you pick it up because it is non-native wildlife and releasing it is a crime. Would they give you a ticket for it? probably not but who knows? would that count towards this?
When you think about it it's no surprise the estimate a 90% non-compliance rate with their roc rules (fwc's figure not mine.).
Private property is one of the cornerstones of a free society. Go ahead cheer on that he got busted for what he did he should have got more punishment for it. Heck if you meet him on the street beat the crack out him if you want, but don't hope for the gov. to take his private property away. It's sick and it's un-american.

natsamjosh Mar 04, 2010 07:05 AM

Just to be clear, my comment was pointing out the hypocrisy of it all. I'm against *all* government regulation/bans at this point. But if laws/regulations/bans are going to exist because of python hysteria, then this guy should have gotten his permits and animals taken away, imo.

Pithons Mar 04, 2010 08:33 AM

I kinda agree. They definately should yank his permits. And because he wont have permits anymore, then any animal he should can not keep legally, he should have 30 days to rehome them. BTW, is this the first person to get caught releasing a python in FL. If so, then use him as an example. Yank the permits.

jscrick Mar 04, 2010 08:32 PM

"Heck if you meet him on the street beat the crack out him if you want,..."

"...beat the crack out of him...". I do like that one. Very insightful.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

jscrick Mar 03, 2010 09:03 PM

Far too many of 'em. Same as Herpocrites.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

TOM_CRUTCHFIELD Mar 04, 2010 09:50 AM

JOHN I LOVE THE "HERPOCRITE" ANALOGY...LOL
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

steelersdiehard Mar 04, 2010 02:19 PM

someone planting a snake for the media!

Don't think this is the only time this has happened LOL

Lia Mar 05, 2010 04:39 AM

Considering that the state has NEVER enforced the python license to begin with and now want to punish the law abiding responcible owners . I have to say they threw the book at this guy ESP by Florida low standards.

Even the guy who had the python who killed that little girl was never fined for not having a license and than later the state instead of enforcing anything goes after the good owners.

BTW I agree I doubt he is only one to pull a hoax like this but he is the first who admitted to it.

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