Crime & Safety
Local Man Charged with Selling Venomous Snakes Online
Authorities recently executed a search warrant at his home.
A local man was charged with selling venomous rattlesnakes online.
Mark Braswell, of Newmarket, allegedly posted an advertisement for a prairie rattlesnake. Authorities last month executed a search warrant at Braswell's home, where they said a young child was living. Two snakes were seized.
In New Hampshire, such venomous snakes are considered a controlled species and require permits to possess or sell. Braswell didn't have the proper permits, according to authorities.
The snakes were taken to New England Reptile Distributors, a facility in Plaistow that is permitted to take care of of venomous reptiles.
Braswell was charged with two counts of possessing wildlife without a permit and one charge of selling wildlife without a permit.
New Hampshire Fish and Game officers investigated the case.
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