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Throop Man Facing Charges of Selling Exotic Animals
Throop Man Facing Charges of Selling Exotic Animals - Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 10:15PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 @ 10:15pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A Throop man was back in court Wednesday afternoon to face a slew of charges. Investigators say he not only sold rare, exotic animals over the internet, he also was in possession of child pornography.
Michael Percival said nothing as he walked into the Lackawanna County courthouse with his attorney.
Percival's preliminary hearing lasted for nearly three hours. The judge says he needs more time before making a determination on if Percival tried to sell the animals. The same judge determined there is enough evidence to send the child pornography possession charges forward.
Officials say he tried to either sell, barter or trade animals like rare turtles, rattlesnakes and lizards. According to court papers, Percival caught some of the animals in the wild years ago at his home in Throop and then incubated them.
Percival was caught after trying to sell some of the animal to undercover environmental officials. The investigation started in mid-2008.
Walter Buckman, a waterways conservation officer, says the illegal selling of animals is big business.
Percival's attorney says a new law from last year will complicate this case.
State Police found the child pornography after looking through his computer in relation to the animal selling charges.
Percival is free tonight in Lackawanna County. | | |
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