He tried to steal a snake and got caught. Ok. Apparently it's a first. If it's not then he's REALLY good. Now what?
Sorry Wes, but on this one we disagree. He did not try to steal a snake. He stole a snake. Not only did he steal a snake but he received money for the stolen animal. Not only did he receive money for the animal but he tried to make more money by selling it. He could have sold any of his other boas but that one, according to his words, was not on his breeding plans. So there was a rational plan behind it. This is not a kid that grabbed a snake from a show and run with it, that’s irrational but maybe not premeditated. Not only did he try to sell the boa but when confronted with the evidence lied repeatedly and tried to buy his way out. It was not until everything was so evident and was given the “opportunity” to prove they were different snakes (camera loan) that he decides to confess. But not only does he confess but he stays around and tries to issue philosophical explanations to his behavior. At least some of the people that have scammed have disappeared from the face of the earth. Not Bill, he knows how this works, after all as you say he is not a newbie.
When you say:
This isn't some newbie that has no name and no history. Exactly my point This is not some known crook or suspected scammer. This is an up til now good guy who seriously screwed up.
that’s exactly my point. I could see where a “newbie” as you say might fall for this. He probably doesn’t know better. But we can’t argue that on Bill’s favor. You, and I as well as several other members here had hit hard on those so-called newbies. Teenagers that didn’t know better went down fast, and to be honest although we might have made a few mistakes, in most instances I have no remorse about it. But we need to be impartial on this. If not this site will turn into what other people have long been advocating.
Regards.