NEW HARTFORD, IOWA – A New Hartford man has been charged with harboring an endangered species – an exotic rattle snake.
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at approximately 5:50 PM, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, with assistance of the Iowa State Patrol, executed a search warrant at 309 Packwaukee Street in New Hartford after anonymous complaints about endangered species housed within the residence.
The resident was not present during the execution of the search warrant. After executing the search warrant, officers seized an endangered Massasuga Rattle Snake and other contraband related to the possession of the snake. Other illegal contraband was turned over to the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement for further investigation and potential charges.
Today, Brian Anderson, 50, of New Hartford turned himself in at the Bulter County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being charged with one count of Illegal possession of a protected non-game (Iowa Code 481A.38) and one count of Illegal possession of an endangered species (Iowa Code 481B.5), both are simple misdemeanors. Other potential charges, both federal and from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, are possible.