JACKSON, Mississippi -- 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.
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