15 venomous snakes seized from man's home

INDIANAPOLIS -- Conservation officers who entered the home of a man who sought treatment for a poisonous snake bite found 15 venomous vipers, including cobras and rattlesnakes.\nMichael Fillenwarth, 47, was taken into custody but later released after Monday night's raid on his home due to medical issues related to his snake bite, officials said.\nAuthorities learned of the snakes after Fillenwarth sought treatment over the weekend for a bite from the highly venomous green mamba, native to Africa.\nSgt. Dean Shadley, an Indiana Conservation Officer, said Fillenwarth did not have the proper permits to keep the snakes, which Shadley described as "extremely poisonous." Fillenwarth is charged with possession of a dangerous reptile without a permit.\nShadley said investigators plan to present information to the Marion County prosecutor that could lead to criminal charges in the case.\nOfficers confiscated five types of rattlesnakes, three types of cobras, along with gaboon vipers, copperheads, a puff adder and two green mambas from Fillenwarth's home on Indianapolis' east side. They also seized caged quail Fillenwarth was using as food for the reptiles.\nJim Harrison of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo was contacted to positively identify the snakes, which were taken to a facility run by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.\nBecause of medical issues related to his snakebite, Fillenwarth was not jailed Monday night. A summons for his court appearance was to be issued when the investigation is complete and the charges are filed.