November 14, 2006

Fifteen venomous snakes were found being held in captivity last night at the residence of an Indianapolis man who had been transported to Methodist Hospital early Saturday morning after having been bitten by a green mamba snake.

Indiana conservation officers entered the residence of Michael Fillenwarth, 47, at 1610 Bosart Ave., with a search warrant for dangerous snakes at 10:30 p.m.

Officer Scott Johnson had been told by emergency medical service personnel that Fillenwarth had venomous snakes in his residence. State records showed that the man had no permit for keeping dangerous reptiles. The warrant permitted Johnson to seize the mamba, plus any other venomous snakes found.

Officers seized what they identified as five types of rattlesnakes, three types of cobras, gaboon vipers, copperheads, a puff adder, and two green mambas. All were taken to a secure DNR facility. Jim Harrison of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo will positively identify the snakes this afternoon. Harrison has worked with several state and federal law enforcement agencies on other reptile-related cases.

Due to medical issues related to his snakebite, Fillenwarth was not jailed last night. A summons for his court appearance will be issued when the investigation is complete and the charges are filed. Fillenwarth is charged with possession of a dangerous reptile with out a permit.

A dangerous reptile permit is obtainable through the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Some of the conditions of the permit include notifying your neighbors of the snakes, having a written recapture plan and having a notification list of all persons that need to be contacted in case of an escape.