Info *BEWARE* Jim Stelpflug-Questionable Ethics

[DavidBeard]

In case anyone wants a Cliff's Note version of the thread above:

-It shows that yet again Jim has zero issues doing business long term with someone he knows is breaking the law.

-Bill & Linda sued Jim for refusing to return an Albino Ball Python female to them, and won. A judge ordered Jim had to return the snake to them, after he bred the snake without their permission.

-After Jim lost the lawsuit, he decided to "write" (I use quotation marks because despite the letter being written in first person perspective, and being signed by Jim, he alleges he did not author the letter but instead just signed his name) a latter to the city where Bill & Linda lived informing authorities that they were keeping illegal animals. That letter can be seen in PDF format below.

Here is an alert from Jim's response to the thread where he claimed to have helped write the ordinance that he helped Bill & Linda break, then turned them in for.:

As for the city ordnance where they live, I know it very well. I helped write it about fifteen years ago. The ordinance posted earlier in is tread is not correct. The City of Dubuque was out to outlaw constrictor snakes fifteen years ago. That would mean basically all snakes. At the time I managed a large warehouse type pet store. This would have hurt my business very much. I went before the city council a few time times. We came to an agreement to outlaw boas and pythons. I wanted a size/length limit such as our neighboring state of Illinois. They did not want that for the fear that something would get left out. I tried at the time to get certain things exempt such as rosy/sand boas, and smaller pythons ball, children’s, and spotted. No such luck.

In short, if anyone has shown evidence toward being spiteful, vindictive and nothing short of slimy throughout this whole thing, its Jim. He will knowingly break laws he helped write until it no longer serves him to do so, then he has shown that he will use the government to NARC out other reptile keepers, making us ALL look bad in the process.

I might be a jerk sometimes, but geez.....I've never been THAT big of a jerk.

 

[DavidBeard]

Here is an exert from Jim's response

Correct to post above...

 

[caffeinecynic]

There may be those who would find this thread interesting.....for all the people who said this thread was unnecessary and I was wrong for posting it, at least I did not write a letter to authorities to turn in former friends after I was upset a breeding load did not go well....and people said *I* was spiteful/had a personal vendetta. Yikes.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99954&page=17

I just read that thread in its entirety to try and be as unbiased as possible.

This sums up my opinion.

And to me it boils down to this: Don't keep illegal animals.

There is enough trouble with more and more legislature and bad media in general. But to knowingly keep illegal animals is criminal and is even uglier to the public. The potential for trouble was always there regardless of how it happened.

Most herpers have former friends, enemies in the hobby or at least those with knowledge of what you keep. Multiple posts get started by former friends or associates all the time. If someone outside of yourself knows what your collection consists of then I'd treat it as if everyone knows. That includes the law.

My point was that they were going to get busted for illegal reptiles because of all the other complaints and that it was not the sole doing of James, as they would have you believe.

I also believe that it is those that break the reptile laws that do the most damage to the hobby. Having a full blown snake and rat farm in a single family dwelling in the city limits is just asking for trouble.

That being said, according to Jim, he did not write a letter - he was asked to give a written statement after the city was already alerted to misdeeds by the individuals in the thread. That fits with the fact that it appears to have been faxed. He posited that they were actually caught because they purchased an enormous amount of rodent chow which would also fit with logic as it would spur suspicion, especially if you vend regular shows. I can't speak for other states, but I imagine if I started purchasing rabbits regularly when I am not legally allowed to own large constrictors, I would have FWC's attention. All it takes is too many suspicious transactions to get some eyebrows raised.

It's unclear whose side is being completely truthful there, without more information, but based on the fact that there is at least evidence to suggest the thread starters were engaging in illegal behavior, I am inclined to believe Jim's story. It's on page 16, for those who decide to click and want to see his side.

 

[DavidBeard]

Since several folks wanted to chastise me for daring to question the illustrious philanthropist Jim, I thought I would highlight a few posts from the other thread where it doesn't seem like some members thought his actions were very noble, to say the least....I suppose I'm not alone after all

I don't like the sounds of someone who would do something like that for no reason. Does he sell on line, and if so where are his adds and what name does he post under?? Might help others out of Wisconsin to avoid him. Glad you were able to get them back!!!

I don't like the sounds of someone who would do something like that for no reason. Does he sell on line, and if so where are his adds and what name does he post under?? Might help others out of Wisconsin to avoid him. Glad you were able to get them back!!!

Now that is dirty pool.

Linda, I'm sorry you had to go through this. Based on that letter, it would appear that you are correct that James did, for whatever reason, "sic" the authorities on you.

Perhaps the breeding loan situation was the cause?

Would you mind giving us the short version? Unfortunately, the court records are not available online, and Wisconsin is a little far for me to drive

Jim had no problem with Bill owning a python, when he got it for a breeder loan, FOUR YEARS ago. Jim had no problem with Bill owning pythons in the four years since. Jim saw Bill at reptile shows LAST year, and said nothing about it to authorities.

Jim loses a lawsuit with Bill on Jan. 19, 2007, which says he must return Bill's python to Bill. Shortly afterward, Jim has an attack of "good, concerned citizen", and writes an embellished letter about Bill to animal control. If he was so worried about all this, why didn't he report it four years ago? It is quite obvious he was pissed, and did this to get even.

I am smelling rats, too, of the Wisconsin variety.

Yes, but not in such a cowardly and dishonest fashion.

Thank you, Rozann.

HHMMMMMMMMMMM.....

Lawsuit filed 10/31/06

Jim's complaint to AC 11/13/06

Are you gonna be stickin with your story, Tim?

Before you answer, ask yourself, "How much more foolish would I like to look?"

I would like to hear from Jim himself and more from Linda before I make a personal decision in my mind. For now, however, I am not thinking very good thoughts on either party.
Letting someone raise up your animal for four years and then just wanting it back after all the care and money came from the other person is not good just as what Jim wrote is not good either.

I believe you're right, Erin. Maybe Linda or Bill could enlighten us on that one.

Regardless of the exact date on that letter, the four year timeline of events indicates to me that this was clearly not a "concerned citizen."

Jim had business dealing with Bill all during that period, and even states he was in his home two and a half years ago. That is mentioned in the letter.

Only when things went sour did he become a "concerned citizen."

I just have a pet peeve about people who abuse the legal process to settle personal vendettas. I liken it to calling child protective services on your neighbor, because the two of you are feuding. Very distasteful (and also illegal).

I'd tend to agree Jim, I'm finding it difficult to think of James as "concerned citizen" as you put it.

As Rozann said, I'd really like to hear James' version from him directly.

I have a feeling this will increasingly become more and more of a mud slinging contest, with both parties coming out dirty.

Well, at this point, I'll wait for Bill or Linda to respond to that.

My opinion of James Stepflug, and his mushbrain stooge is settled. Until Jim steps up personally, he is officially a jerk in my book. But you're right about the thread title. It probably should have been something more like, "James Stepflug: Cowardly, dishonest jerk with no ethics who can't even speak for himself on a public forum."

I agree with Evan completely that involving government to settle our differences in the reptile community is going to result in no winners. It should be an absolutely last resort. That said, to borrow an expression from a recent Survivor contestant, it's hard to separate the snakes from the rats in this whole sordid affair.

If she was gravid, Jim was lucky you didn't file a counter suit for his breeding of your snakes.

Monkeywrench - Yes, Jim bred our female albino to one of his without our knowledge or permission. He told the judge she never laid any eggs. When we got her back she was extremely thin, though. And, she also fed. No idea what date was on the letter. Will try to find out.

Was James trying to use your situation in Dubuque, which he apparently was at least partially responsible for, as a defense for why the BP should not be returned to you?

And the judge was aware of the City Ordinance?

I think you get the point.....Jim's legacy on this forum is not sparkling like he and his followers would have you believe.

FWIW, there was another thread linking to Bill & Linda's original thread that was closed due to forum rules, several people also voiced displeasure with Jim at this point. I'm willing to bet this is the first his groupies have heard of any of this, I wonder if his Saint status will suffer?

 

[Snakesatsunset]

Ok, so someone worried about integrity and character, you are twisting the thread hoping no one will read it and it will benefit your false cause?
NOTHING of your cliff notes is even remotely accurate.
I don't even want to go through it all, but if anybody cares read it. Most of the common sense is at Jim's first post on that thread.
This guy David is something else...
lmao! Its incredible how someone can make their case based on twisted words and incomprehension of facts. I can just imagine David sitting on the edge of his chair all excited and gitty about what he found , which is nothing bad, but he wants it to be, so makes it so.
I cant even believe your defending those people, who are known rip offs. Thats like David Beard defending me, regarding my 12 year old case that he so adamantly keeps bringing up. lol yeah yeah yeah, its HYPOTHETICAL to make it clear, as we know you like to now say I said this and that so must be true even though others don't read that....I wouldnt want you defending me in any way shape or form and I am pretty sure you wouldnt, which is great by me. But that is literally what you just did by referencing that post of those rip off artists and illegal animal dealers....being a hypocrite e to fit your agenda against Jim.

 

[AllisonLeigh]

My opinion on this thread has changed more times than I can count at this point. At this point, I have a few opinions... of course you know what they say about opinions...

1. While I don't know that it warranted a BOI thread, it is valuable information for a consumer to know who the person they are buying from is willing to deal with, especially as it could mean they are receiving stolen goods. In this case it sounds like it was just a repayment of an old debt, which I would be fine with as the buyer, and I think it was Jim's reaction to being questioned by an un-involved party that caused it to sound like anything more. Where you (David) were facebook friends, I think a private message would have been more appropriate than posting on his page so I can see why he already had his back up and didn't think you deserved more answers, because in all actuality he doesn't owe you them.

2. Any breeder who would purchase geckos from a pet store and sell them at an expo labeled as anything other than "Pet store gecko, pet only" would be immediately added to my "do not buy from" list. The reason we buy from expos and not pet stores is because we want to avoid pet stores, not add a middleman to the transaction and in turn pay more for what is likely a mutt. This could be seen as every bit as unethical as purchasing stock from someone with a criminal background in my eyes. In the gecko world mixing albinos is a HUGE no no and proving out an albino takes years and many, many batches of babies. Selling an albino as the wrong type could completely ruin someone's future projects as they couldn't sell their offspring to anyone but pet stores who don't care as much about the actual genetics/morphs.... and then someone may buy one and bring it to an expo to sell... vicious circle.

3. How we treat each other in the heat of debate says a lot about a person. The bashing of the BOI and moderators really rubbed me the wrong way more than the actual content of the complaint did, of course there are a lot of posts from both sides of the argument here that don't exactly paint the poster in the best of light.

While I agree, who a company is willing to do business with does say a lot about them, I also believe collecting on a previous debt isn't the same as starting a partnership... I think the fact Jim didn't feel it necessary to explain his reasons to David is the cause of this whole snow ball of a thread. I'd be interested to know how this all would have played out if the question was brought up privately, as more of a curious inquiry than an attack on someone's morals.

 

[Logan85]

I guess I'll go ahead and edit all the other screenshots I have. Should be fun guys. David Beard talks about how he hates everyone in the reptile industry, accuses another person for "flipping" imports when he admitted to selling petsmart geckos, he makes fun of an entire FB group of people (30k+ people I believe?) calling then "Ftards" then references special ed people, talks about how he purposely trolls people for nothing more than his personal enjoyment... the list goes one. It'll take me awhile, but at this point I'm willing to do it just to show everyone the level of delusional psychosis this Beard guy has. I am convinced he most definitely has mental health issues, and I say that not to mock him, or people with mental health issues. I say that because he should probably spend less time trolling people and seeking some sort of help for his problems. I wasn't going to post anymore because I received an infraction for calling David "assassin for hire, Beardpool, will work for chimichangas" apparently that was inflammatory, but I will return in a couple hours to post the screenshots. It will take me awhile, there is a lot of them. I am going to try to edit out the profanities to the best of my ability. David is rather vulgar. I hope this does not lead to anymore infractions. Thanks!

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[Black Adder]

I guess I'll go ahead and edit all the other screenshots I have. Should be fun guys. David Beard talks about how he hates everyone in the reptile industry, accuses another person for "flipping" imports when he admitted to selling petsmart geckos, he makes fun of an entire FB group of people (30k+ people I believe?) calling then "Ftards" then references special ed people, talks about how he purposely trolls people for nothing more than his personal enjoyment... the list goes one. It'll take me awhile, but at this point I'm willing to do it just to show everyone the level of delusional psychosis this Beard guy has. I am convinced he most definitely has mental health issues, and I say that not to mock him, or people with mental health issues. I say that because he should probably spend less time trolling people and seeking some sort of help for his problems. I wasn't going to post anymore because I received an infraction for calling David "assassin for hire, Beardpool, will work for chimichangas" apparently that was inflammatory, but I will return in a couple hours to post the screenshots. It will take me awhile, there is a lot of them. I am going to try to edit out the profanities to the best of my ability. David is rather vulgar. I hope this does not lead to anymore infractions. Thanks!

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This could be damaging but also probably not required at this stage but do as you feel you need to, just makes this thread even more of a circus than it already is.
I am sure David is regretting having started it but the level it is sinking to is pretty sad.
Having grabbed all these screenshots while masquerading as a fb friend to gain access is not the way I would go about any business but hey its your job I guess.
Just another good reason I left the often times seedy world of farcebook, exited all groups including ones I had even started and ones I was admin on and said goodbye to all there.
I used to get odd friend requests all the time and most I denied, this shows that was probably a darn good move.
Not that I ever had anything interesting on my page anyway besides myself, my daughter and our snakes....lol

 

[AllisonLeigh]

I agree with Kevin that the screenshots aren't really necessary by this point. One thing I disagree with though is that taking the screenshots was sinking to a low level. We've seen a lot of sketchy behavior that has been proven by other members by friending them and taking screenshots. Maybe not something I would personally be looking to do, but it's quite a common practice on these boards and it's often brought to light some valuable information that otherwise was just rumors or mutterings. In fact, we've seen David himself do it quite often if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Lucille]

Logan, just a thought from me since you are relatively new (and I've earned the right to say this on account of numerous past infractions that thankfully are getting less frequent):
If you have received an infraction for saying something, don't repeat the whole thing in a new post.

My opinion on past history:

We all learn through trial and error, I certainly have done my best to do so (see above). And we all make mistakes. If a mistake or error is particularly relevant to a thread or ongoing, by all means post it.
But if a person has done something many years ago and is doing better (just as I am) I'm not sure it does any good to keep on throwing past mistakes in their face.
In fact, if one knew they would be punished eternally for past errors, there would be little incentive to improve. Let's honor the people who have chosen to do better.

 

[caffeinecynic]

I'd bet dollars to pennies I'm an admin of the group he [David Beard] was insulting. If I'm right, it's 18k+ members.

Just putting that out as full disclosure since some people might perceive me as being unbiased in light of that [because yes, I admin a group that David was removed and banned from - though I do not deem the issue relevant to this thread at all and Jim is banned from it too].

 

[fishhead1992]

I also disagree that taking screenshots is shady. You can do it on my page all you want, I have nothing to be ashamed of there. I don't think posting all the​ screenshots is needed though. Most everyone has probably already figured out to stay clear of David Beard unless you want him to find a reason to try and shame you on fauna. He had nothing in any of the deals he is so set on damaging Jim on.

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[caffeinecynic]

unbiased

Biased*

 

[Logan85]

This could be damaging but also probably not required at this stage but do as you feel you need to, just makes this thread even more of a circus than it already is.
I am sure David is regretting having started it but the level it is sinking to is pretty sad.
Having grabbed all these screenshots while masquerading as a fb friend to gain access is not the way I would go about any business but hey its your job I guess.
Just another good reason I left the often times seedy world of farcebook, exited all groups including ones I had even started and ones I was admin on and said goodbye to all there.
I used to get odd friend requests all the time and most I denied, this shows that was probably a darn good move.
Not that I ever had anything interesting on my page anyway besides myself, my daughter and our snakes....lol

Actually upon inspection these were all from a Facebook search. He posted these in groups I was a part of. I believe ONE came from his personal page. Anyone could do this.

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[Black Adder]

Never said taking screenshots was shady at all.
What I did say was not the way I would do business, two entirely different things

 

[Logan85]

Logan, just a thought from me since you are relatively new (and I've earned the right to say this on account of numerous past infractions that thankfully are getting less frequent):
If you have received an infraction for saying something, don't repeat the whole thing in a new post.

My opinion on past history:

We all learn through trial and error, I certainly have done my best to do so (see above). And we all make mistakes. If a mistake or error is particularly relevant to a thread or ongoing, by all means post it.
But if a person has done something many years ago and is doing better (just as I am) I'm not sure it does any good to keep on throwing past mistakes in their face.
In fact, if one knew they would be punished eternally for past errors, there would be little incentive to improve. Let's honor the people who have chosen to do better.

Almost all of these were taken in the past few weeks. One is even a direct reference to him making this thread and shows it was a personal attack.

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[Logan85]

I'd bet dollars to pennies I'm an admin of the group he [David Beard] was insulting. If I'm right, it's 18k+ members.

Just putting that out as full disclosure since some people might perceive me as being unbiased in light of that [because yes, I admin a group that David was removed and banned from - though I do not deem the issue relevant to this thread at all and Jim is banned from it too].

Snek Hissing Booth

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[Robert Walker]

I wasn't going to post anymore because I received an infraction for calling David "assassin for hire, Beardpool, will work for chimichangas" apparently that was inflammatory,...I hope this does not lead to anymore infractions. Thanks!

Be sure to tell the whole story if your going to share it. Your infraction was reversed into only a warning, which your failed to mention. Your posts at that point in the thread, had become nothing more than jabs at David in an attempt to inflame the situation. In addition, I had previously posted here not to go down that path with the posts. While an infraction must accompany a specific post (per the forum setup), it was not related to only that specific "Deadpool" jab, but your jabs as a whole.

I will not reverse any further infractions for you. If you earn them, you will keep them moving forward.

 

[caffeinecynic]

Snek Hissing Booth

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Oh, no.

But I have a hard time judging him for making fun of that one LoL

 

[Logan85]

Be sure to tell the whole story if your going to share it. Your infraction was reversed into only a warning, which your failed to mention. Your posts at that point in the thread, had become nothing more than jabs at David in an attempt to inflame the situation. In addition, I had previously posted here not to go down that path with the posts. While an infraction must accompany a specific post (per the forum setup), it was not related to only that specific "Deadpool" jab, but your jabs as a whole.

I will not reverse any further infractions for you. If you earn them, you will keep them moving forward.

Thank you. I was not aware it was reversed. I have never had an infraction. I apologize.

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