Uncaged Pythons, Boas: Cortlandt Residents Face Charges

New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations arrested two Cortlandt residents following a detailed investigation.

On Sept. 13, 33-year-old Anthony R. Mahabir of Cortlandt was charged with Criminal Contempt 2nd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

It took place after a Good Samaritan arrived at the Cortlandt barracks to report a possible order of protection violation, police said. Troopers conducted a welfare check and discovered that Mahabir violated an active court order of protection by having contact with the protected parties.

Mahabir was arraigned before the Village of Buchanan Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

After his arrest, police found out that he possessed 11 snakes in his home that were not properly confined to secure cages. The reptiles were removed with the assistance of the SPCA and ENCON.

SEE: 13-foot Python, 9 Other Snakes Rescued by SPCA of Westchester

The New York State Environmental Conservation Department will be lodging separate charges against Anthony Mahabir for illegally possessing three pythons without a permit. The other snakes seized by the SPCA were Boa Constrictors. Some of the snakes were over 12’ in length.

On Sept. 16, Victoria Mahabir, 46, was arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Mahabir knowingly allowed her child to reside in the house despite the fact that the reptiles were kept in unsecured Rubbermaid totes. She was issued an appearance ticket directing her to appear before the Town of Cortlandt Court Sept. 18.

Anthony Mahabir also faces the charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The State Police were assisted by the SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit and the New York State Environmental Conservation.