Very Unsettling

Mustangrde1 · 10-16-04, 12:49 PM

These are two articles That have came accross my e-mail today.

Don Williams/John Hollister Busted(info)
Abilene, Texas - Thursday - October 14, 2004

Don Williams of Abilene, Texas was taken into custody Thursday while teaching in his class at Lincoln Middle School. Williams' computer was seized and he was then physically taken to his residence where 72 venomous and protected snakes were seized by animal control, TP&W and USF&W. This story appeared on the local tv news on both Thursday and Froday. It was said that there were species of rattlesnakes that are protected by Texas and USF&W such as willardii, klauberi(AZ), edwardsi, and many others. Officials are still looking for timber rattlesnake, gila monsters and bog turtles. Officials said that Williams almost needed to be restrained when they seized his albino atrox ! He faces fines of up to or higher than $50,000, seizure of his two properties where the illegal snakes were found, and certain jail time both state and federal.

Based on Williams' close association with John Hollister, and an e-mail found in Williams possession from Randy Ellis of Reptile Locators which gave officials probable cause for a warrant, officials then proceeded to Hollisters residence where they seized 27 venomous snakes. Hollister was on his way to St. Louis to give a talk at a reptile meeting, so officials kicked in his door to gain access. Officials stated that it was the worst case of animal cruelty they had ever seen in Abilene; snakes dead or dying in cages, dead rodents in one form of decay or another, multiple defications and sheds, no water and poor ventilation. In addition, there were dead snakes just thrown into Hollisters freezer among the food without being bagged or separated. Officials worked until 11:30 at night cleaning up the animals Hollister had and making sure they had water. Upon Hollisters return, he faces 27 counts of having venomous snakes inside the city limits and almost 100 counts of animal cruelty; warrants are waiting for him.
Bob Assetto was also part of this investigation and he is still subject to arrest as well. Officials have almost two years of shed skins, phone records, credit card records, postal records, photo and video survallence, and computer records. Hollisters computer was seized as well.

Seizure of snakes may be hiss-toric
By Sidney Levesque / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 16, 2004

Authorities suspect the more than 100 snakes corralled in two raids this week are part of a network of people who buy and sell venomous snakes for collectors.

The snake busts occurred at two Abilene homes on Thursday. This may be the largest venomous-snake bust Abilene has ever had, said Alvin O'Dell, program manager for the city's animal control office.

Charges have not been filed or citations issued in the snake bust. No names have been released, and an investigation is ongoing.

Owning a venomous snake is illegal in the city of Abilene. The punishment is a fine similar to a traffic ticket. If threatened or endangered species are found, charges become more serious.

So far, no such snakes have been found. Some rattlesnakes indigenous to the area were confiscated. Others were from Central America.

The local office of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department conducted the first snake bust Thursday. Eighty poisonous snakes were seized from a home, said Capt. Sparks Burdett, a game warden.

The second, smaller snake seizure Thursday night was conducted by city animal control, which was acting on a tip, O'Dell said. About 25 snakes were seized at the second home.

The snakes were taken to the Abilene Zoo. A permanent home for the reptiles has not been determined, O'Dell said.

One of the homes where snakes were seized was in the 2900 block of South 7th Street. Neighbor Johnna Hookings said the snakes did not pose a threat, and she did not understand why they were removed.

''I've seen them before, and they were all in cages,'' she said. ''They were his pets.''

Some of the snakes were dehydrated and thin when they arrived at the zoo, said Jeff Bullock, zoo director. He said one viper needs surgery.

I am shaking my head about this one. If and that is a giant IF John was doing it shame to him and I hope he gets whats comming.

My gut however tells me he will be proven to be legal and within his rights. As John does rescues it would not suprise me one bit that the " viper" in question may indeed need surgery as it most likely was a rescue which would easily explain it. As to the Kicking in the door. That has me a little bothered and confused why they would do that instead of simply waiting for him to arrive home. Over eager officers is my guess.

andytheboa · 10-16-04, 12:59 PM

the first story is sad.
I think the guy in the 2 story shood (sp?) keep his snakes.

Just MHO

Vanan · 10-16-04, 02:02 PM

*shakes head* Scary stuff man. Insane why someone would have THAT many illegal snakes.

Get the right permits and proceed with your rescuing. This is bad. Word's probably gonna spread to FL to and I can only see an increase in raids. For those who are keeping illegal species, it's about time to dig a hole in the ground and disappear.

Sucks this should happen. A real shame.

Mustangrde1 · 10-16-04, 09:58 PM

Most people in FL I doubt are worried. Are permit system and its checks work perfectly fine. Those keeping illegally best hope their names not on his computer no matter where they live. Still a black eye on the community im afraid

BoidKeeper · 10-17-04, 09:09 AM

Man I would hate to be arrested in front of my students. Especially over something herp related. Although my students would probably jump the cops if they thought something was going to happen to my collection of harmless and perfectly leagel snakes.lol Thanks for sharing Scott.
Tell me Scott. How does one go about setting up a permit system for keeping hots?
Cheers,
Trevor

Mustangrde1 · 10-17-04, 09:31 AM

Not sure in Canada. I would say find a local law maker that can sponsor a Bill. and go from there. If i knew how your legal system worked I might be able to help more.

BoidKeeper · 10-17-04, 09:45 AM

We can keep this going on the other thread. No need to take away from this one and have two threads with the same topic going.
Trevor

Paleosuchus · 10-17-04, 10:00 AM

I have been hearing that allot of things will be redue in floridas venomous law. Like certain opisthoglyphic snakes will be allowed etc.. Is this true?

Mustangrde1 · 10-17-04, 10:28 AM

Not to my knowledge anyway. There is always rumors reguarding the law though

Lisa · 10-18-04, 10:57 PM

Can't find anything on any news sites i've searched about John. Got any links for us Scott?

BWSmith · 10-19-04, 07:55 AM

Here is the link to the site that posted the second story.
http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/ho...L_7941,00.html

No link to the second one. Mainly because I have it on good authority that it is a load of crap. A reliable source informs me that it was fabricated by someone in the venomous community that I will not name, as i have no evidence.

But just reading the article, you can tell it was not written by a reporter. How many times have you seen a reporter use latin names? How come on the 14th it has everyone's names, but on the 16th they have not been released yet?

I smell BS. But the second one is real. We can speculate all day on who it is, but until the names are released we should not pass judgement or make assumptions because of a phony article concocted by a petty idiot.

Mustangrde1 · 10-19-04, 09:01 AM

I see Rich deleted the thread that I got those from. Maybe not a good idea on his part as John may very well want to see them.

Reptile locator · 10-22-04, 10:05 AM

Sorry for posting in this thread if there is another one
But I have not been able to find it here. This thread was
Brought to my attention in concern by a friend. Yet it is un-nerving
That people will take something and run with it, with out knowing
The facts and in most cases this is what gives the black eye to us all
In the reptile community.

“FYI”
My name was brought up in the bogus initial supposed news article
This was posted by a person who actually turned them in due to a criminal
Act on his part to cover up his own dirty deed. I for one can and will tell you
That I played no part in what happened to John Hollister and Don Williams
John and Don have been in contact with me numerous times this week, If you
Know John and Don both would be glad to be contacted by anyone and give the real
Story and let you know that in fact I had no part nor have I ever been to either of their homes nor have I ever seen either one of their collections! This unsavory characters actions’
Is a vendetta against anyone who has called him out for his wrong doing, I along
With many other people are on his list to be caused as much trouble as he can no matter
How false the accusations by him are, I have received treating e-mails from this very same person letting me know what he has done by starting the original thread on another site which was deleted for the obvious reasons. I have also received many e-mails of bodily harm to my family and I, by this same unsavory character but what is disturbing more so is his threats to my young Son and daughter. Personally I am sick and tired of people posting lies and unfounded accusations against whom ever they feel like with out facts’