quite a crazy story, and the penalty appears really over the top.


if he really blabbered about it on youtube, then he clearly did not expect that the laws would actually be enforced. also he acted quite stupidly. the way they did it allows no room to later claim that it was an error and/or that they didnt know that its illegal.

still, i think the punishment is over the top, 5 years in prison is extreme. if i would be the judge and wanted to make an example and choose a stiff punishment, i would force the guy to auction off the reptile collection and take the money, use it to pay off legal costs and stuff and have the rest donated for environmental protection. then, probation for some years, and no reptile keeping during that time. but 5 years in prison can really destroy a persons life. and there seem to be 3 charges, one would bring 5 years, the second up to 20 years, and the third one 5 years.