one more recent posting:
Self-described reptile expert Terry Cullen, whose collection of snakes, crocodilians and turtles were seized by Milwaukee police earlier this month, was charged Thursday with trapping and sexually assaulting a woman in his fetid south side home.
Cullen, 60, also was charged with a dozen counts of animal abuse and violations of endangered and exotic species regulations.
An associate of Cullen, Jane E. Flint, 50, was charged with seven counts of animal abuse and violations of endangered and exotic species regulations.
According to a criminal complaint:
Cullen met a 24-year-old woman in February at a reptile swap south of Chicago. Cullen, who had brought with him a crocodilian named Mooshu, told the woman that he represented Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy and agreed to interview her for an internship in Milwaukee.
The woman lives in a small community near Chicago. About a week later, the woman's mother drove her to a restaurant on Milwaukee's south side, where the woman met with Cullen.
As the mother sat at another booth, Cullen spoke to the woman about an internship, then shifted the conversation to personal matters. He told her he had been born on a small island and had gone to medical school, where he specialized in gynecology. He was unable to finish school, he said, because an abusive father burned his dissertation. The complaint notes that medical students do not typically write dissertations.
The woman's internship began Feb. 27.
Her mother dropped her off at a south side restaurant, and Cullen picked her up. Before she began work, the woman told police, Cullen had her sign various contracts in which she promised she was not a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or a PETA spy. She also promised not to reveal where he lived.
Cullen took her to his home, which is in the 3400 block of S. 17th St., and showed her five large anaconda snakes in basement tubs. After a dinner in which he touched her and told her, according to the complaint, that intimate relationships "have no boundaries," he took her to a building in the 2300 block of S. 13th St.
According to tax records, the building on S. 13th St. is the home of Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy Inc. Cullen is listed as the nonprofit's president and director. Flint, who lives in the building, is listed as the organization's secretary and treasurer.
Cullen showed the 24-year-old woman four large dogs that he said were tamed wolves. While using a filthy bathroom, the woman told police, she was startled by a free-roaming crocodilian.
The woman told police she was scared and, being unfamiliar with Milwaukee, did not know where she was. Cullen took her back to his house on S. 17th St., which he told her was in an extremely dangerous neighborhood. She told police she sat down on a mattress in what seemed like an office area and began to cry. Cullen, the complaint says, turned down the lights, lighted candles and assaulted her.
The woman told police Cullen insisted she stay the night, and he drove her home the next day, the complaint says.
The woman did not report the assault until earlier this month.
Milwaukee police, responding to the sexual abuse allegation, searched the S. 13th location on May 12.
"Investigators were overcome by a strong and putrid odor of urine, feces and decomposing animals," the complaint says.
More than 200 animals, most of which were exotic reptiles and many of which were protected or considered endangered species under federal and state law, were removed.
The carcasses of dead animals intermingled with live animals, the complaint says. Mice and rats cannibalized each other. Turtles had mold growing on them, according to the complaint. Some crocodilians inhabited tanks so small that their snouts were pushed against the glass.
Investigators found a wading pool filled with dirt that appeared to be used for breeding crocodilians.
Besides the counts related to animals, Cullen also is charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment.
After an initial appearance hearing Thursday, Cullen's attorney, Stephen Glynn, adamantly denied the sexual assault charges.
"That's a flat not-guilty," Glynn said.
"That's a: 'I am not guilty. I did not do this. I will go to trial on it. I've got nothing to do with that.' "
Glynn also defended Cullen's work with animals.
"This is a guy who has spent his life dealing with these kinds of animals," Glynn said.
"He's got a local, statewide, national and even international reputation for doing good things with these creatures. He's never been involved in the sales of these animals. He's never been involved in their exploitation. He's involved in educational stuff."
about animals in general. I cant wait until I hit the target list and they confiscate all of my animals because I have a few dead rats in my freezer.
.I say bullcrap made up story 
