Florida wildlife officials have uncovered a black market snake trafficking ring operating in the state, leading to the arrest of eight individuals associated with the illegal operation. This is a disturbing development for Floridians, as these venomous snakes pose a significant threat to the state’s ecosystem and public safety.
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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the investigation began in 2020 in response to growing reports and complaints about a thriving black market for illegal and highly dangerous venomous reptiles. FWC agents were able to purchase or sell nearly 200 venomous snakes from suspected traffickers across the state. These snakes were made up of 24 different species from seven regions of the globe, including the bushmaster, inland taipan, rhinoceros viper, African bush viper, Gaboon viper, green mamba, eyelash viper, spitting cobra, forest cobra, saw-scaled vipers.
“Some of these snakes are among the most dangerous in the world,” said Maj. Randy Bowlin, FWC DLE Investigations and Intelligence Section Leader. “Florida’s rules and laws are in place to protect the public and prevent tragedies from occurring.” The FWC emphasizes that the nonnative species pose a significant threat to Florida’s ecology and public safety, as they could easily live and breed in Florida’s subtropical climate if they were to escape.
The FWC reports that most deals were arranged on specialized websites or closed media, with in-person meetings set up to make illegal sales. According to the FWC, some of the men were wholesale dealers who imported large shipments of nonnative venomous snakes from multiple countries around the world. “Caging, labeling, transport, and handling rules were also often ignored by subjects,” the release said.
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In addition to the illegal sale of venomous reptiles, some of the suspects were also involved in other types of wildlife trafficking and even child neglect. The FWC obtained search warrants for many of the social media accounts associated with the ring and identified more suspects in and out of Florida.
From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission News Release:
Actions taken by the FWC DLE Investigations Section on January 12 include:
Delvin Eugene Sasnett (11/21/1990) of Eagle Lake, FL – arrested and issued Notice to Appear
During the investigation, FWC investigators found evidence to charge Sasnett with a number of serious violations. In addition to illegal purchase or sale of venomous reptiles, he is also involved in the sale of other types of wildlife.
Polk County violations include:
- Possession of American Alligator (third-degree felony)
- Child Neglect (third-degree felony)
- Possession of prohibited species (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Possession of venomous reptile without a permit (first-degree misdemeanor)1
- Possession of captive wildlife without a permit (ESB) (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Possession of threatened species (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Unsafe conditions (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Illegal harvest of freshwater turtles (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Caging and biosecurity (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No enclosure label (prohibited species) (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No critical incident plan (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No or incomplete records for wildlife (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Transfer of prohibited species to/from unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper primary enclosure for venomous reptile (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper secondary enclosure for venomous reptile (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No bite protocol (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper caging of Class 2 wildlife (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Transporting turtle eggs (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Feeding alligators (second-degree misdemeanor)
William Chase Agee (08/01/1990) of Holly Hill, FL – arrested and executed search warrant
Agee is an unpermitted individual who has been involved in multiple illegal sales and purchases of venomous reptiles. A convicted felon, Agee was well aware of the regulations concerning these snakes. In addition to violations concerning venomous reptiles, Agee was also illegally in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony.
Volusia County violations include:
- Possession of firearm by convicted felon (third-degree felony)
- Transportation/sale/possession of cannabis (third-degree felony)
- Illegal possession of ammunition (third-degree felony)
- Sale of venomous reptile to unlicensed person (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Possession of venomous reptile by unlicensed person (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Illegal transportation of venomous reptiles (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Illegal transportation of venomous reptiles (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Illegal transportation of venomous reptiles (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Purchase of prohibited species from unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
Dylan Isaac Levin (02/15/1992) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL – arrested
Levin was documented making multiple illegal purchases and sales of venomous reptiles. He falsified required records regarding venomous reptiles and was involved in the sale of a controlled substance.
Palm Beach County violations include:
- Sale of controlled substance (third-degree felony)
- Sale of venomous reptile to unpermitted individual (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper venomous reptile records (second-degree misdemeanor)
Edward Daniel Bays (07/31/1997) of Southwest Ranches, FL – issued Notice to Appear
Broward County, Miami-Dade County violations include:
- Possession of prohibited species (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Release of nonnative wildlife (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Transportation of prohibited species (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Transfer of prohibited species to/from unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Transporting wildlife in unsafe manner (second-degree misdemeanor)
Jorge Javier Gonzalez (10/29/1999) of Miami, FL – executed search warrant, issued Notice to Appear
Gonzalez is charged with the illegal trafficking of prohibited species, specifically Burmese pythons. On multiple occasions, FWC investigators documented the illegal sale and transport of these invasive prohibited species.
Broward County, Collier County, Hendry County, Miami-Dade County violations include:
- Possession of prohibited species (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Purchase of wildlife from unlicensed person (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Transfer of prohibited species to/from unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No safety entrance for prohibited species (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No escape proof room (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No enclosure label (prohibited species) (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No enclosure label (name/PIT #) (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Solicitation/Attempted Solicitation (second-degree misdemeanor)
Paul Edward Miller (07/21/1974) of Cape Coral, FL – issued Notice to Appear
Miller is a large importer of snakes, a well-established wildlife wholesaler and the owner of Calusa Animal Company. In addition to multiple violations regarding caging, labeling and husbandry, FWC investigators also documented instances where Miller aided in the falsification of required experience hours documentation.
Lee County violations include:
- Cage or secondary containment (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Unsafe or unsanitary conditions for captive wildlife (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper cage labeling (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Cage or secondary containment (second-degree misdemeanor)
Joseph David Switalski, Jr. (05/26/1985) of Plantation, FL – issued Notice to Appear
Switalski is a well-established reptile dealer and is the owner of JDS Holdings and Trading, LLC. Multiple illegal sales and purchases occurred involving Switalski during the investigation, with more than 60 snakes. Switalski is charged with multiple violations.
Broward County violations include:
- Sale of venomous reptile to unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper caging of venomous reptiles (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper cage identification (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper secondary containment for captive wildlife (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No enclosure label (venomous) (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Possession of venomous reptiles at an unlicensed location (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Purchase of venomous reptiles from an unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
Timothy James Gould (05/12/1984) of Central City, PA – arrested by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in Georgia, issued a Notice to Appear
Gould is a well-established wildlife transporter and is unpermitted in the state of Florida for any captive wildlife, let alone venomous reptiles. He advertises his illegal transport services on a popular online marketplace for wildlife dealers. Working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the FWC identified Gould and documented his illegal activity in Florida. When arrested, Gould had 27 snakes in his possession illegally.
Levy County violations include:
- No import permit (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Sale or transfer to an unlicensed person (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper labeling (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Improper caging (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Possession of venomous reptile without a permit (second-degree misdemeanor)
- No bite protocol (second-degree misdemeanor)
Charges have been filed with the appropriate State Attorney Offices, and judicial proceedings are pending.
This bust is a reminder that illegal wildlife trafficking is not just a problem in far-off countries but a problem that exists right here in our own backyard. The FWC, working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, has arrested and charged eight men with a number of violations. This bust is a major victory for the FWC and Floridians’ safety. Still, it’s also a sobering reminder that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our wildlife and our ecosystems from the greed of traffickers.
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