Dan Scolaro
New member
This post is to provide information to the consumer and interested reader that Joseph Lesh of Columbia, South Carolina, intentionally misrepresented a snake I purchased from him for the sole purposes to swindle me out of 150 dollars. Mr. Lesh not only misrepresented the snake he sold me, he is guilty of fraud, lying, conning, and animal cruelty.
I’ve kept this saga as short as possible as to not distract reader’s interest. However, I have many emails that substantiate much of the information below. If you would like to see them, I can place them on an additional post? Also, had it not been that Mr. Lesh was discovered taking numerous steps to fraud me, and further compounded to accomplish his scam by leaving his snake at the airport to die, I would not be making this post in the first place. Additionally, Mr. Lesh seems to behave like a child and pretends to not recognize any of his wrongdoings. Perhaps a little public humility may straighten him out and not leave him to pretend that he does not know what he did wrong, and further, this will perhaps halt his usage of sickened and dying snakes for personal profit.
Here is the short version if you want to avoid reading the entire saga: I sent Mr. Lesh a 150 dollar money order for a coral snake he promised was very healthy. Mr. Lesh sent blurry photos of a flattened snake when I did not even request photos. I was suspicious and concerned about the photos as they depicted a sick and flattened snake, which was contrary to Mr. Leshe's verbal and written description of the snake. I further requested clear photos depicting the snake, at rest, to determine if was indeed flattened and even provided expert advice on how to obtain such photos in a timely fashion. Mr. Lesh promised to eventually send good photos, and based on our references in common, Mr. Lesh also promised to not cash my money order until I was satisfied with viewing the snake in person. Mr. Lesh also extended the shipping date without informing me in advance or providing any reasonable excuse, and remained to leave me anticipating a trip to the airport the following day. I discovered later that the reason for his delay was that he cashed my money order and was waiting for it to clear which was against his word to hold it until I viewed the snake. Then for some odd reason (fraud of course), two days before Mr. Lesh shipped, he emailed a doctored and staged photo of the snake engorged while it fed on another snake, thus intentionally misrepresenting the snake when I never really actually questioned if it fed or not. When my money order cleared (without my knowledge), Mr. Lesh shipped a dying snake to me in an unlawful crate that violated the Lacy Act in every possible way. I rejected to accept the shipment as the snake was dying and Delta Airlines verified is dying condition and accepted my rejection of the snake. Mr. Lesh refused to answer his phone and futher refused to ship the snake back and left it to die at the airport. I sought to help the snake, but it died shortly afterward as I predicted. Mr. Lesh will not refund my money.
Here is the long version: Last month Mr. Lesh advertised a Central American Coral Snake on a reptile website. And please allow me to say for myself, that when I viewed his asking price of 100 dollar or so, I gathered the idea that this snake must be an established adult simply based on the high price tag on the animal since imports cost about 50 dollars, and I can get an import from a wholesaler just down the road from where I reside. I telephoned Mr. Lesh and we spoke in detail about the snake on several occasions and I clearly informed Mr. Lesh that I was NOT the least bit interested in an import and ONLY wanted an established adult. Mr. Lesh was firm on his asking price plus shipping, and voiced that the snake was worth the extra expense as it was in excellent health, and further voiced that the snake was a long-term captive that he acquired from his friend (Mr. Lesh later wrote that it was a recent import). Since I was only interested in a long-term captive and established adult, and was familiar with Mr. Leshe’s references, we made a deal, and I mailed Mr. Lesh a US Postal Money Order for 150 dollars to include Delta Dash shipping and I agreed to send some rat snakes to him to make up some of the expense of his shipping.
Since we knew each other’s references, I personally was not going to even ask for photos, but Mr. Lesh offered, and emailed photos. His photos were blurry, and the snake appeared flattened (and as you will learn, his initial photos were just another part of his master scam). I was very concerned, as this snake appeared quite the contrary to his verbal and written descriptions. Like I said, I was not even going to ask for photos, but based on the photos he did send, I requested an additional photo depicting the snake in a rested coil, and provided professional advice so he can quickly and safely take such photos. Mr. Lesh assumed a defensive posture, thwarting to send additional photos. We spoke a few additional times, and Mr. Lesh promised several times to send clear photos, but nothing ever arrived. However, during one conversation after Mr. Lesh received my US Postal Money order, and I again expressed a dire concern for verification of the animal, Mr. Lesh assured that the snake was in excellent shape, and since we both had references in common, he guaranteed and promised to not cash my money order until I received the snake as he assured I would be satisfied. That was not a bad offer since we both had numerous friends and associates in common, much less I had an opportunity to look at the snake, and if it was flat, I expected to get my money back. If the guy wanted to offer that option verses taking 3 minutes for a decent photo like I asked, then that is his great customer service I thought. Actually it was all apart of his scam.
It is important to note that Mr. Lesh tricked and failed to ship the snake on our initial mutually agreed date, and Mr. Lesh remained to leave me anticipating an airline shipment the next day. When I telephoned Mr. Lesh very late the evening before, he did not provide any responsible excuse. I later discovered that his delay in shipping was maliciously calculated as he had lied to me and had already cashed my money order, and in retrospect, he was obviously waiting for my money order to clear to prevent me from canceling it, as he knew I would do so once I viewed his dying snake. And later when I did see the dying snake, I tried to cancel it, and I was informed that Mr. Lesh cashed it and it cleared.
Two-days before Mr. Lesh shipped, and for some unknown reason (his scam at the time of course), Mr. Lesh emailed a photo of the coral snake while it fed on another snake, and wrote that it was feeding that very night. This photo not only was received as a surprise, the photo was the EXACT OPPOSITE of what I requested. I requested a photo that would clearly change my suspicion that the snake was flattened, and I receive a second photo depicted the snake engorged while feeding on a snake. That second photo was obviously doctored and staged for the sole intentions of fraud, no other way to see it. Much less, I never even doubted him of questioned him about it feeding, so what was his point to send a picture of the snake feeding? Fraud, nothing else. Also, the photo depicted the snake housed on dry shavings indicating that the snake was improperly maintained. And why would anyone feed a snake two-days before shipping? Only a crook or a mistake could cause that. And even in that photo, the snake is positioned to be staged as feeding as the snake is not stretched out like a normal healthy coral snake does when feeding.
A few days later, without even one-days notice, Mr. Lesh emailed that he was shipping the snake that day (after he verified that my money order cleared behind my back). I replied and asked him if the snake was bagged or in a container indicating that I wanted to inspect the snake at the airport before accepting the snake (my right and privilege to do according to Delta Cargo policy). Mr. Lesh did not respond or acknowledge my email informing him about my intent to inspect the snake.
With tools and camera in hand, I traveled to the airport and informed Delta Cargo that I was present to pickup a crate with a venomous snake, and I desired to inspect it as I was suspicious that I was being robbed. I was handed something smaller than a shoebox, a tiny wooden crate, and I dissembled it on Delta’s loading dock. The crate violated the Lacy Act in every manner; the crate was too small, its wood type was wrong, there was not one metal bracket supporting any corners, and the snake was not contained in two labeled bags per regulations, instead the snake was in one in one unlabeled bag holding a plastic container which the snake was contained on very dry wood shavings.
The snake’s condition was deplorable and unforgivable. It was quite flattened, however when I rocked the container, the snake inhaled and bloated outwardly, indicating a terminal disease. The snake’s head was eyes were shrunk. There was a ridge of raised skin on its spine extending all the way from behind head to its tail. I took the snake out and turned the snake over and it took several seconds to right itself. When prodded, the snake moved a few inches, but immediately stopped and rested and flattened out again. It was slowly dying from a deadly disease, no doubt. I obtained photos of the snake.
I stepped back into Delta’s office, informed the Delta supervisor that I was rejecting to accept the cargo in the crate. The supervisor inspected the snake with me. The supervisor immediately confirmed my assessment of the snake, that it was indeed very sick and dying as it could barely move. The supervisor accepted my rejection of the snake (per Delta’s policy) and informed me that the shipper, Mr. Lesh, was responsible for the disposition of the crate and its contents. The supervisor attempted several times to phone Mr. Lesh, however Mr. Lesh refused to answer his phone (as expected) or was irresponsible to make himself available. The supervisor apologized for my inconveniences that morning, as she knew confided to me that I must be getting swindled out of my money. I departed the airport and hurried straight to the post office. I was right. I was informed that Mr. Lesh cashed my money order several days earlier and he obviously broke his promise to hold it until I saw the snake.
Mr. Lesh maintained to avoid answering his phone (common amongst crooks). I emailed Mr. Lesh and informed Mr. Lesh what he already knew about the snake, that it was dying, and told him that I rejected to accept shipment of his snake at the airport, and demanded a refund. Mr. Lesh responded, and never once denied the condition of the snake, and further, never even expressed any inquiry as to how the snake could arrive in such a deplorable condition. Now even if Mr. Lesh doubted my word and the assessment of the Delta supervisor, and the snake cooked in some place that December day, it would be expected that an honest person would in the least inquire for one nano-second as to how or what happen to his or her snake to have arrived in such a horrible condition. Mr. Lesh did not inquiry one bit. Of course he did not inquire. He knew it was sick. Mr. Lesh attempted to pull the usual criminal defenses and tactics that most unscrupulous reptile dealers do. Mr. Lesh first attempted to con me to waste more of my time to go back to the airport and retrieve his snake and provide it medical attention. His criminal intent was that the longer I held the snake in my possession, the less likely he would be responsible for it. Not according to the law and courts Mr. Lesh. I refused that part of his scam. The Mr. Lesh projected insults and wrote that he had no guarantee. His reactions and demeanor were calculated and predicted, however, not appreciated. Then Mr. Lesh asked me to spend 75 dollars of my money and ship the snake back to him, utilizing his unlawful crate. And of course I was not in such a cheerful mood to cut plywood myself and make a crate for him the right way, much less, I did not have a Delta Account to ship, so no option there. And Mr. Leshe’s scam was based on his “word” to refund me only 100 dollars, which would only actually only be a net refund of 25 dollars, even if I were willing to risk and break the law and use his crate for shipment. Obviously, I refused. Mr. Lesh did not know that I was already informed that he already cashed my check against his solemn “words.” Then Mr. Lesh attacked again. He said that I viewed his blurry and doctored photos, hence I was an experienced reptile hobbyist, and should have known better, and he told me to “suck it up.” I guess that was Mr. Leshe’s tactful method to tell his customer how well he spent his mother’s Christmas present money. Then Mr. Lesh blithered to write that he had no responsibility or accountability in the matter for the snake and conned to dodge responsibility and place blame on my signature on a shipping receipt at Delta. I reaffirmed to Mr. Lesh that his criminal tactics were kidding no one and Delta gladly accepted my rejection of the shipment, and he can verify that information if he ever picks up his phone and contacts Delta.
Mr. Lesh ran out of excuses and cons at the time and proceeded to offer no refund, no credit, no replacement snake, no lizard, no frog, no chicken, no cricket, not even a superworm in the big screwing he just gave me with the dying snake and having to drive two hours to see it. Much less, I wasted valuable time trying to convince this crook that he was very wrong and he could care less. And Mr. Lesh was so stubborn to stand proud and tall over his accomplishments to steal my 150 dollars, that he even refused to ask Delta to ship the snake back to himself, because as we all now know, Mr. Lesh was knew his snake was dying when he shipped it, and it had no further retail value for him. I mean, if Mr. Lesh actually believed his own lies that the snake was very healthy, and it was worth to sell it again for 125 dollars, then why would he not ship it back to himself and make another 50-dollar profit? And as for icing on the cake; Mr. Lesh remained to leave the snake at the airport to die a slow horrible death (animal cruelty) in his unlawful crate, and did not arrange or attempt to arrange any alternative preparations to at least contact anyone, a zoo, vet, or another hobbyist to aid the dying snake.
At the time, I immediately sought relief from the website owner that allowed Mr. Lesh free access to advertise the snake. The owner forwarded the photos taken at the airport to obtain a non-basis medical opinion. The opinion of the expert was that the snake was “dehydrated, malnourished, and with sign of parasites.” Mr. Lesh received this information and remained offer nothing and responded with additional insults and expressed a further lack of concern for the poor snake.
I took the initiative to contact the expert who I did not know at the time and we discussed the snake and she had many very valuable recommendations. I felt bad for the snake already, and at the time, I was more so upset that Mr. Lesh place me in a compromising position to either contemplate that the snake would go back to him for a sure death in dry wood shavings, or should I help it myself even though I knew and everyone knew he was ripping me off. And Mr. Lesh, I did not wake that day anticipating the problem you laid on my shoulders and you will get payment for that much later for sure. And after speaking to the FBI about you, I am sure I will get my refund.
I contacted Mr. Lesh again hoping he would pursue healthcare for the snake. Mr. Lesh remained to let it sit for days and die in his unlawful crate at the airport. I knew I would get my refund one-way or the other. Although I rejected the contents of the crate, and perhaps I could not gain access to it again, I though it best for the sake of the snake to at least contact Delta at the airport to see if they would at least let me provide emergency aid and hydration. I spoke to the Delta Cargo Manager. The Delta Manager voiced that the snake was logged into their computer as rejected by Daniel T. Scolaro and it was no longer my option to pick it up, and it was sent elsewhere in any case but they would not tell me where. I contacted Mr. Lesh. He informed that days after he left it there, he told Delta he would not pay to have it shipped back to himself, and they told him they sent it to a local wholesaler. Now Mr. Lesh knew where his animal was. And Mr. Lesh orders snakes from that wholesaler. Well, if Mr. Lesh makes an order he can get his “VERY HEALTHY” coral snake back for nothing and include it with the other snakes he orders. I mean would not a responsible reptile dealer seek that option and make him customer happy? Not Joe Lesh, he knew it was going it die. I even suggested that Mr. Lesh get it back from the wholesaler, but he refused. Mr. Lesh deserves a fast hard kick right in his ass and he is going to get it one day when he is not looking. If it makes him never forget to not rob or fraud another customer again, much less neglect another animal so it dies on him, then I will make sure I have my size 12 shoe on when he gets it. If anyone doubts that Mr. Lesh places orders from the wholesaler, or he can lie and say he does, not, I already checked with them as they knew he sent me the dying snake and Mr. Lesh ordered from them three weeks ago just after the coral snake died. If he lies about it, check the BOI, he made a comment about them recently indicating he made an order two weeks ago. And what was the wholesaler’s assessment of the snake? They all looked at it and with their combined 300 years of reptile experience, they all said it was very sick and dying. They actually could not believe that Mr. Lesh even tried to fraud with such a sickened snake.
As mentioned, I drove to the wholesaler and picked up the snake. Several hours after arriving home, the snake vomited the feeder snake that Mr. Lesh fed it a week earlier. Note closely the picture of the vomited snake placed on Mr. Leshe’s unlawful crate. The feeder snake was supposed to be digesting in the coral snake’s stomach for an entire week (seven days), however the coral snake did not even digest the feeders snake’s skin, which would be the first thing expected to be digested in a healthy snake. This coral snake was such a very healthy snake according to Mr. Lesh that it could not even digest a skinny snake. I housed the snake expertly, provided a moist substrate, a big easy to drink from water bowl, moss, proper lighting, proper temperature regulation, medication, fed it tiny feeder ringneck snakes, and provided the snake loads of tender loving care. The coral snake vomited the small snakes, and sadly, died as I predicted it would.
When Mr. Lesh was notified of the snakes death and contemplated the obvious efforts I had incurred to save it, he continued to refuse any refund, credit, exchange, another coral snake, and offered nothing but fake concern for the snake. If he actually cared one inkling for the snake before, why did he not have it shipped back to him for free???????????????????? Please keep in mind now that I wasted two long car trips for this snake, was out 150 dollars of my money and put through his scam, wasted countless hours sending him emails, risked exposing the snake’s disease to my collection, was burdened with its care, and now Mr. Lesh stood fast to offer nothing but phony apologies, additional insults. All of which only confirms and substantiates Mr. Leshe’s horrible and criminal customer service.
Mr. Lesh recently defended his actions and his dead snake and emailed that he is “well prepared” to defend himself on the Board of Inquiry based only on the “fact” that he has already “lined up” several customers that were witnesses to the coral snake feeding? I did not argue that the snake fed anyway, so he can “line up” a thousand people around his block and they can all hold-hands and chant “we saw it eat” for all I care. I will never lie and always tell the truth and I will never contradict that, as its feeding is not only irrelevant, what is relevant, is that it could not digest food as a result of it having a deadly disease. Mr. Leshe’s email about a “line up” only substantiates that he is a master conman and fraud. His email said explained that Mr. Lesh was feeding the snake during the evening. How many “customers” were “lined up” in his house that “evening” to watch it feed? Who out there is brave and bold enough to stand up for that insidious scenario, and who further thinks that crazy defense has anything to do with his snake dying from a deadly disease? And following Mr. Leshe’s threat with a “line up” of characters willing to testify on his behalf, this conman and thief wrote in an email that the coral snake was a recent import. Mr. Lesh told me it was long-term established captive he obtained from his friend. Heck, I can get an import a down the road at a rock’s throw for 40 bucks. The more the guy writes, the deeper the hole he digs.
Mr. Lesh may have several hundred “customers” all “lined up” that will say he is the best thing since we found Sadam in a hole, and I will concede that perhaps he has completed dozens of wonderful and loving and exemplary transactions worthy of knighthood by the Queen of England herself, and perhaps his customers are so joyed that they have their eye’s watered about him so as to even carry Mr. Lesh on their shoulders to the mountain to take home Moses’s ten commandments. However, nothing of what he or anyone can produce should or will ever excuse him that he most assuredly intentional misrepresentation this coral snake on purpose for the sole intention of robbery, and in the process of his scheme, he presented misleading, false, misrepresented photos as evidence of his criminal intentions. And further, Mr. Lesh willfully neglected and inflicted animal cruelty to the poor snake by leaving it to die.
And as you may determine for yourself, Mr. Lesh is quite the skilled criminal to use all of those pretentious and typical criminal defenses in his emails to avoid responsibility. Mr. Lesh utilized most, if not all, of the commonly known criminal tactics to rob his customer; bad blurry photos, held the check and cashed it, tried to make me go back and get the snake and care for it, bidding to lessen his responsibility for it, or placing me in a position to render care vice see it die, attack and insult, pointing a finger at a receipt, and the rest of which, most of you already know for yourself. And please be advised, I am just a hobbyist who only bought three snakes in my entire 40-year-old life over the Internet, and two reptile dealers, including Mr. Lesh, were proven to be criminals. I never will purchase another snake, sight-unseen again unless from a reputable dealer.
Mr. Lesh is only a calculating and methodical thief and has no business ethics and has no customer service, and further has no right to even be pretending to know how or provide any advice on how to maintain and keep snakes in captivity.
And God forbid, but one day, one of his unlawful and shoddy crates may mistakenly break open in an accident and someone may be killed or maimed. Those shipping are supposed to be constructed according to specific regulations in case of such an accident. Is Mr. Lesh going to continue to save a few dimes and pack his venomous snake within regulations, or be cheap and risk other people’s lives to rob them? Mr. Lesh stands to pose a real threat to the public. All consumers, hobbyists, and reptile dealer should avoid him at all costs.
I do have assocates that have viewed this dying snake, and if necessary, they will register to post and verify that they viewed the snake and were informed of all of the information above during the time it happened and transacted.
I’ve kept this saga as short as possible as to not distract reader’s interest. However, I have many emails that substantiate much of the information below. If you would like to see them, I can place them on an additional post? Also, had it not been that Mr. Lesh was discovered taking numerous steps to fraud me, and further compounded to accomplish his scam by leaving his snake at the airport to die, I would not be making this post in the first place. Additionally, Mr. Lesh seems to behave like a child and pretends to not recognize any of his wrongdoings. Perhaps a little public humility may straighten him out and not leave him to pretend that he does not know what he did wrong, and further, this will perhaps halt his usage of sickened and dying snakes for personal profit.
Here is the short version if you want to avoid reading the entire saga: I sent Mr. Lesh a 150 dollar money order for a coral snake he promised was very healthy. Mr. Lesh sent blurry photos of a flattened snake when I did not even request photos. I was suspicious and concerned about the photos as they depicted a sick and flattened snake, which was contrary to Mr. Leshe's verbal and written description of the snake. I further requested clear photos depicting the snake, at rest, to determine if was indeed flattened and even provided expert advice on how to obtain such photos in a timely fashion. Mr. Lesh promised to eventually send good photos, and based on our references in common, Mr. Lesh also promised to not cash my money order until I was satisfied with viewing the snake in person. Mr. Lesh also extended the shipping date without informing me in advance or providing any reasonable excuse, and remained to leave me anticipating a trip to the airport the following day. I discovered later that the reason for his delay was that he cashed my money order and was waiting for it to clear which was against his word to hold it until I viewed the snake. Then for some odd reason (fraud of course), two days before Mr. Lesh shipped, he emailed a doctored and staged photo of the snake engorged while it fed on another snake, thus intentionally misrepresenting the snake when I never really actually questioned if it fed or not. When my money order cleared (without my knowledge), Mr. Lesh shipped a dying snake to me in an unlawful crate that violated the Lacy Act in every possible way. I rejected to accept the shipment as the snake was dying and Delta Airlines verified is dying condition and accepted my rejection of the snake. Mr. Lesh refused to answer his phone and futher refused to ship the snake back and left it to die at the airport. I sought to help the snake, but it died shortly afterward as I predicted. Mr. Lesh will not refund my money.
Here is the long version: Last month Mr. Lesh advertised a Central American Coral Snake on a reptile website. And please allow me to say for myself, that when I viewed his asking price of 100 dollar or so, I gathered the idea that this snake must be an established adult simply based on the high price tag on the animal since imports cost about 50 dollars, and I can get an import from a wholesaler just down the road from where I reside. I telephoned Mr. Lesh and we spoke in detail about the snake on several occasions and I clearly informed Mr. Lesh that I was NOT the least bit interested in an import and ONLY wanted an established adult. Mr. Lesh was firm on his asking price plus shipping, and voiced that the snake was worth the extra expense as it was in excellent health, and further voiced that the snake was a long-term captive that he acquired from his friend (Mr. Lesh later wrote that it was a recent import). Since I was only interested in a long-term captive and established adult, and was familiar with Mr. Leshe’s references, we made a deal, and I mailed Mr. Lesh a US Postal Money Order for 150 dollars to include Delta Dash shipping and I agreed to send some rat snakes to him to make up some of the expense of his shipping.
Since we knew each other’s references, I personally was not going to even ask for photos, but Mr. Lesh offered, and emailed photos. His photos were blurry, and the snake appeared flattened (and as you will learn, his initial photos were just another part of his master scam). I was very concerned, as this snake appeared quite the contrary to his verbal and written descriptions. Like I said, I was not even going to ask for photos, but based on the photos he did send, I requested an additional photo depicting the snake in a rested coil, and provided professional advice so he can quickly and safely take such photos. Mr. Lesh assumed a defensive posture, thwarting to send additional photos. We spoke a few additional times, and Mr. Lesh promised several times to send clear photos, but nothing ever arrived. However, during one conversation after Mr. Lesh received my US Postal Money order, and I again expressed a dire concern for verification of the animal, Mr. Lesh assured that the snake was in excellent shape, and since we both had references in common, he guaranteed and promised to not cash my money order until I received the snake as he assured I would be satisfied. That was not a bad offer since we both had numerous friends and associates in common, much less I had an opportunity to look at the snake, and if it was flat, I expected to get my money back. If the guy wanted to offer that option verses taking 3 minutes for a decent photo like I asked, then that is his great customer service I thought. Actually it was all apart of his scam.
It is important to note that Mr. Lesh tricked and failed to ship the snake on our initial mutually agreed date, and Mr. Lesh remained to leave me anticipating an airline shipment the next day. When I telephoned Mr. Lesh very late the evening before, he did not provide any responsible excuse. I later discovered that his delay in shipping was maliciously calculated as he had lied to me and had already cashed my money order, and in retrospect, he was obviously waiting for my money order to clear to prevent me from canceling it, as he knew I would do so once I viewed his dying snake. And later when I did see the dying snake, I tried to cancel it, and I was informed that Mr. Lesh cashed it and it cleared.
Two-days before Mr. Lesh shipped, and for some unknown reason (his scam at the time of course), Mr. Lesh emailed a photo of the coral snake while it fed on another snake, and wrote that it was feeding that very night. This photo not only was received as a surprise, the photo was the EXACT OPPOSITE of what I requested. I requested a photo that would clearly change my suspicion that the snake was flattened, and I receive a second photo depicted the snake engorged while feeding on a snake. That second photo was obviously doctored and staged for the sole intentions of fraud, no other way to see it. Much less, I never even doubted him of questioned him about it feeding, so what was his point to send a picture of the snake feeding? Fraud, nothing else. Also, the photo depicted the snake housed on dry shavings indicating that the snake was improperly maintained. And why would anyone feed a snake two-days before shipping? Only a crook or a mistake could cause that. And even in that photo, the snake is positioned to be staged as feeding as the snake is not stretched out like a normal healthy coral snake does when feeding.
A few days later, without even one-days notice, Mr. Lesh emailed that he was shipping the snake that day (after he verified that my money order cleared behind my back). I replied and asked him if the snake was bagged or in a container indicating that I wanted to inspect the snake at the airport before accepting the snake (my right and privilege to do according to Delta Cargo policy). Mr. Lesh did not respond or acknowledge my email informing him about my intent to inspect the snake.
With tools and camera in hand, I traveled to the airport and informed Delta Cargo that I was present to pickup a crate with a venomous snake, and I desired to inspect it as I was suspicious that I was being robbed. I was handed something smaller than a shoebox, a tiny wooden crate, and I dissembled it on Delta’s loading dock. The crate violated the Lacy Act in every manner; the crate was too small, its wood type was wrong, there was not one metal bracket supporting any corners, and the snake was not contained in two labeled bags per regulations, instead the snake was in one in one unlabeled bag holding a plastic container which the snake was contained on very dry wood shavings.
The snake’s condition was deplorable and unforgivable. It was quite flattened, however when I rocked the container, the snake inhaled and bloated outwardly, indicating a terminal disease. The snake’s head was eyes were shrunk. There was a ridge of raised skin on its spine extending all the way from behind head to its tail. I took the snake out and turned the snake over and it took several seconds to right itself. When prodded, the snake moved a few inches, but immediately stopped and rested and flattened out again. It was slowly dying from a deadly disease, no doubt. I obtained photos of the snake.
I stepped back into Delta’s office, informed the Delta supervisor that I was rejecting to accept the cargo in the crate. The supervisor inspected the snake with me. The supervisor immediately confirmed my assessment of the snake, that it was indeed very sick and dying as it could barely move. The supervisor accepted my rejection of the snake (per Delta’s policy) and informed me that the shipper, Mr. Lesh, was responsible for the disposition of the crate and its contents. The supervisor attempted several times to phone Mr. Lesh, however Mr. Lesh refused to answer his phone (as expected) or was irresponsible to make himself available. The supervisor apologized for my inconveniences that morning, as she knew confided to me that I must be getting swindled out of my money. I departed the airport and hurried straight to the post office. I was right. I was informed that Mr. Lesh cashed my money order several days earlier and he obviously broke his promise to hold it until I saw the snake.
Mr. Lesh maintained to avoid answering his phone (common amongst crooks). I emailed Mr. Lesh and informed Mr. Lesh what he already knew about the snake, that it was dying, and told him that I rejected to accept shipment of his snake at the airport, and demanded a refund. Mr. Lesh responded, and never once denied the condition of the snake, and further, never even expressed any inquiry as to how the snake could arrive in such a deplorable condition. Now even if Mr. Lesh doubted my word and the assessment of the Delta supervisor, and the snake cooked in some place that December day, it would be expected that an honest person would in the least inquire for one nano-second as to how or what happen to his or her snake to have arrived in such a horrible condition. Mr. Lesh did not inquiry one bit. Of course he did not inquire. He knew it was sick. Mr. Lesh attempted to pull the usual criminal defenses and tactics that most unscrupulous reptile dealers do. Mr. Lesh first attempted to con me to waste more of my time to go back to the airport and retrieve his snake and provide it medical attention. His criminal intent was that the longer I held the snake in my possession, the less likely he would be responsible for it. Not according to the law and courts Mr. Lesh. I refused that part of his scam. The Mr. Lesh projected insults and wrote that he had no guarantee. His reactions and demeanor were calculated and predicted, however, not appreciated. Then Mr. Lesh asked me to spend 75 dollars of my money and ship the snake back to him, utilizing his unlawful crate. And of course I was not in such a cheerful mood to cut plywood myself and make a crate for him the right way, much less, I did not have a Delta Account to ship, so no option there. And Mr. Leshe’s scam was based on his “word” to refund me only 100 dollars, which would only actually only be a net refund of 25 dollars, even if I were willing to risk and break the law and use his crate for shipment. Obviously, I refused. Mr. Lesh did not know that I was already informed that he already cashed my check against his solemn “words.” Then Mr. Lesh attacked again. He said that I viewed his blurry and doctored photos, hence I was an experienced reptile hobbyist, and should have known better, and he told me to “suck it up.” I guess that was Mr. Leshe’s tactful method to tell his customer how well he spent his mother’s Christmas present money. Then Mr. Lesh blithered to write that he had no responsibility or accountability in the matter for the snake and conned to dodge responsibility and place blame on my signature on a shipping receipt at Delta. I reaffirmed to Mr. Lesh that his criminal tactics were kidding no one and Delta gladly accepted my rejection of the shipment, and he can verify that information if he ever picks up his phone and contacts Delta.
Mr. Lesh ran out of excuses and cons at the time and proceeded to offer no refund, no credit, no replacement snake, no lizard, no frog, no chicken, no cricket, not even a superworm in the big screwing he just gave me with the dying snake and having to drive two hours to see it. Much less, I wasted valuable time trying to convince this crook that he was very wrong and he could care less. And Mr. Lesh was so stubborn to stand proud and tall over his accomplishments to steal my 150 dollars, that he even refused to ask Delta to ship the snake back to himself, because as we all now know, Mr. Lesh was knew his snake was dying when he shipped it, and it had no further retail value for him. I mean, if Mr. Lesh actually believed his own lies that the snake was very healthy, and it was worth to sell it again for 125 dollars, then why would he not ship it back to himself and make another 50-dollar profit? And as for icing on the cake; Mr. Lesh remained to leave the snake at the airport to die a slow horrible death (animal cruelty) in his unlawful crate, and did not arrange or attempt to arrange any alternative preparations to at least contact anyone, a zoo, vet, or another hobbyist to aid the dying snake.
At the time, I immediately sought relief from the website owner that allowed Mr. Lesh free access to advertise the snake. The owner forwarded the photos taken at the airport to obtain a non-basis medical opinion. The opinion of the expert was that the snake was “dehydrated, malnourished, and with sign of parasites.” Mr. Lesh received this information and remained offer nothing and responded with additional insults and expressed a further lack of concern for the poor snake.
I took the initiative to contact the expert who I did not know at the time and we discussed the snake and she had many very valuable recommendations. I felt bad for the snake already, and at the time, I was more so upset that Mr. Lesh place me in a compromising position to either contemplate that the snake would go back to him for a sure death in dry wood shavings, or should I help it myself even though I knew and everyone knew he was ripping me off. And Mr. Lesh, I did not wake that day anticipating the problem you laid on my shoulders and you will get payment for that much later for sure. And after speaking to the FBI about you, I am sure I will get my refund.
I contacted Mr. Lesh again hoping he would pursue healthcare for the snake. Mr. Lesh remained to let it sit for days and die in his unlawful crate at the airport. I knew I would get my refund one-way or the other. Although I rejected the contents of the crate, and perhaps I could not gain access to it again, I though it best for the sake of the snake to at least contact Delta at the airport to see if they would at least let me provide emergency aid and hydration. I spoke to the Delta Cargo Manager. The Delta Manager voiced that the snake was logged into their computer as rejected by Daniel T. Scolaro and it was no longer my option to pick it up, and it was sent elsewhere in any case but they would not tell me where. I contacted Mr. Lesh. He informed that days after he left it there, he told Delta he would not pay to have it shipped back to himself, and they told him they sent it to a local wholesaler. Now Mr. Lesh knew where his animal was. And Mr. Lesh orders snakes from that wholesaler. Well, if Mr. Lesh makes an order he can get his “VERY HEALTHY” coral snake back for nothing and include it with the other snakes he orders. I mean would not a responsible reptile dealer seek that option and make him customer happy? Not Joe Lesh, he knew it was going it die. I even suggested that Mr. Lesh get it back from the wholesaler, but he refused. Mr. Lesh deserves a fast hard kick right in his ass and he is going to get it one day when he is not looking. If it makes him never forget to not rob or fraud another customer again, much less neglect another animal so it dies on him, then I will make sure I have my size 12 shoe on when he gets it. If anyone doubts that Mr. Lesh places orders from the wholesaler, or he can lie and say he does, not, I already checked with them as they knew he sent me the dying snake and Mr. Lesh ordered from them three weeks ago just after the coral snake died. If he lies about it, check the BOI, he made a comment about them recently indicating he made an order two weeks ago. And what was the wholesaler’s assessment of the snake? They all looked at it and with their combined 300 years of reptile experience, they all said it was very sick and dying. They actually could not believe that Mr. Lesh even tried to fraud with such a sickened snake.
As mentioned, I drove to the wholesaler and picked up the snake. Several hours after arriving home, the snake vomited the feeder snake that Mr. Lesh fed it a week earlier. Note closely the picture of the vomited snake placed on Mr. Leshe’s unlawful crate. The feeder snake was supposed to be digesting in the coral snake’s stomach for an entire week (seven days), however the coral snake did not even digest the feeders snake’s skin, which would be the first thing expected to be digested in a healthy snake. This coral snake was such a very healthy snake according to Mr. Lesh that it could not even digest a skinny snake. I housed the snake expertly, provided a moist substrate, a big easy to drink from water bowl, moss, proper lighting, proper temperature regulation, medication, fed it tiny feeder ringneck snakes, and provided the snake loads of tender loving care. The coral snake vomited the small snakes, and sadly, died as I predicted it would.
When Mr. Lesh was notified of the snakes death and contemplated the obvious efforts I had incurred to save it, he continued to refuse any refund, credit, exchange, another coral snake, and offered nothing but fake concern for the snake. If he actually cared one inkling for the snake before, why did he not have it shipped back to him for free???????????????????? Please keep in mind now that I wasted two long car trips for this snake, was out 150 dollars of my money and put through his scam, wasted countless hours sending him emails, risked exposing the snake’s disease to my collection, was burdened with its care, and now Mr. Lesh stood fast to offer nothing but phony apologies, additional insults. All of which only confirms and substantiates Mr. Leshe’s horrible and criminal customer service.
Mr. Lesh recently defended his actions and his dead snake and emailed that he is “well prepared” to defend himself on the Board of Inquiry based only on the “fact” that he has already “lined up” several customers that were witnesses to the coral snake feeding? I did not argue that the snake fed anyway, so he can “line up” a thousand people around his block and they can all hold-hands and chant “we saw it eat” for all I care. I will never lie and always tell the truth and I will never contradict that, as its feeding is not only irrelevant, what is relevant, is that it could not digest food as a result of it having a deadly disease. Mr. Leshe’s email about a “line up” only substantiates that he is a master conman and fraud. His email said explained that Mr. Lesh was feeding the snake during the evening. How many “customers” were “lined up” in his house that “evening” to watch it feed? Who out there is brave and bold enough to stand up for that insidious scenario, and who further thinks that crazy defense has anything to do with his snake dying from a deadly disease? And following Mr. Leshe’s threat with a “line up” of characters willing to testify on his behalf, this conman and thief wrote in an email that the coral snake was a recent import. Mr. Lesh told me it was long-term established captive he obtained from his friend. Heck, I can get an import a down the road at a rock’s throw for 40 bucks. The more the guy writes, the deeper the hole he digs.
Mr. Lesh may have several hundred “customers” all “lined up” that will say he is the best thing since we found Sadam in a hole, and I will concede that perhaps he has completed dozens of wonderful and loving and exemplary transactions worthy of knighthood by the Queen of England herself, and perhaps his customers are so joyed that they have their eye’s watered about him so as to even carry Mr. Lesh on their shoulders to the mountain to take home Moses’s ten commandments. However, nothing of what he or anyone can produce should or will ever excuse him that he most assuredly intentional misrepresentation this coral snake on purpose for the sole intention of robbery, and in the process of his scheme, he presented misleading, false, misrepresented photos as evidence of his criminal intentions. And further, Mr. Lesh willfully neglected and inflicted animal cruelty to the poor snake by leaving it to die.
And as you may determine for yourself, Mr. Lesh is quite the skilled criminal to use all of those pretentious and typical criminal defenses in his emails to avoid responsibility. Mr. Lesh utilized most, if not all, of the commonly known criminal tactics to rob his customer; bad blurry photos, held the check and cashed it, tried to make me go back and get the snake and care for it, bidding to lessen his responsibility for it, or placing me in a position to render care vice see it die, attack and insult, pointing a finger at a receipt, and the rest of which, most of you already know for yourself. And please be advised, I am just a hobbyist who only bought three snakes in my entire 40-year-old life over the Internet, and two reptile dealers, including Mr. Lesh, were proven to be criminals. I never will purchase another snake, sight-unseen again unless from a reputable dealer.
Mr. Lesh is only a calculating and methodical thief and has no business ethics and has no customer service, and further has no right to even be pretending to know how or provide any advice on how to maintain and keep snakes in captivity.
And God forbid, but one day, one of his unlawful and shoddy crates may mistakenly break open in an accident and someone may be killed or maimed. Those shipping are supposed to be constructed according to specific regulations in case of such an accident. Is Mr. Lesh going to continue to save a few dimes and pack his venomous snake within regulations, or be cheap and risk other people’s lives to rob them? Mr. Lesh stands to pose a real threat to the public. All consumers, hobbyists, and reptile dealer should avoid him at all costs.
I do have assocates that have viewed this dying snake, and if necessary, they will register to post and verify that they viewed the snake and were informed of all of the information above during the time it happened and transacted.
I hate it when an animal dies an avoidable death.