BRADENTON, FL -- A trapper who staged the capture of a 14-foot Burmese python has been arrested on a single charge of misusing a 911 emergency system and a charge of maintaining captive wildlife in an unsafe manner, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Justin Matthews was the focus of media attention around the time large snakes were turning up in Florida neighborhoods.
The public hoax was played out on July 25th with Matthews claiming he captured a large Burmese python from a drainage pipe.
The FWC says Matthews claimed the large snake was a threat to students. It turns out, Matthews bought the snake legally from a Tampa licensed reptile dealer.
FWC says he let the snake go into the drain pipe on purpose to set up the ruse.
