JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) - The federal government doesn't want
41 venomous snakes taken from a man prosecutors say had coerced a
young girl to pose with the reptiles.
John Joseph Maillet pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to production of
child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon in federal
court. He agreed to give up the snakes, guns and computer
equipment.
A judge on Wednesday approved a request by Prosecutor Scott
Gilbert to remove the snakes from a list of forfeited property.
Court records described the snakes as venomous but didn't identify
them further nor say what will happen to them.
Gilbert says the government rarely wants live animals, in part
due to the cost of keeping and feeding them.
Maillet faces up to 30 years imprisonment at sentencing
scheduled Dec. 8.
