Bad Guy Steve Markevich/ Serpent's Den

[Bill Stonegate]

I'm sure it will be public information on the outcome I don't know how hard it will be to beat a corrupt system.

If it will be soon be public information, then it will be in your best interest to come clean on the facts.

Most people here will not judge you too harshly on those facts, but if you try to lie, you might as well bend over the couch and receive your just rewards.

 

[LakesideBoas]

Theresa,
Yes, the animals are in good care (at least I don't hear anything bad about Chris Foley from anyone I have talked to) He seems to have genuine passion for reptiles.

He will be compensated, but the compensation is not determined until the court prceedings are final. We had to feed and house the snake we had for 8 1/2 months. We were deeded ownership of the animal and awarded compensation to be paid by the person who stole the animal initially, but the care came out of our pocket until that point.

We only had one animal, Chris may be in possession of a hundred or so. That's a LOT of rats and paper towels!

In cases involving dogs confiscated (owners in jail), they are cared for by a facility(chosen by the courts normally) that will be compensated. When the animals' fate is decided, then the facility is paid for caring for the animals. If the case is dropped against the owner, then the court pays for the care, if the case is upheld, the owner pays for the care OR the court can award the animals to the facility(or animals AND care costs).
In any case, the facility caring for the reptiles should be compensated for caring for the animals... unless some other arrangement was made, being as these are not dogs, they are specialized care species, and venomous species(from the ads stated).
I dunno what he was in jail for, when it all went down, my only contribution is to how animals and courts and care while fates are decided goes down.
I hope all the surviving animals go into good care. None of this was their fault.
Theresa Baker

 

[LakesideBoas]

He may have been advised by his attorney not to go into details involving the case to be presented. The other case is already closed, so mentioning that and the circumstances surrounding it may have been okay.

If it will be soon be public information, then it will be in your best interest to come clean on the facts.

Most people here will not judge you too harshly on those facts, but if you try to lie, you might as well bend over the couch and receive your just rewards.

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

If it will be soon be public information, then it will be in your best interest to come clean on the facts.

Most people here will not judge you too harshly on those facts, but if you try to lie, you might as well bend over the couch and receive your just rewards.

Bill,

The fact is I'm having financial hard times and that's what it boils down too. I don't even have the money yet to hire a good competent attorney.

It would be useful if Chris Foley come forward and answer this thread too dn't you think?

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

I'm sure I've said to much already so I'm leaving this thread. If people want information they will have to read the entire thread or ask Chris Foley.

I will inform people on any new details when the case is closed.

 

[LakesideBoas]

Bill,

The fact is I'm having financial hard times and that's what it boils down too. I don't even have the money yet to hire a good competent attorney.

It would be useful if Chris Foley come forward and answer this thread too dn't you think?

Most attorneys will give you an initial consult for free to see if they will take your case.

Except to tell us that the animals are indeed being taken care of and post a copy of the waiver/deed if he has one Chris really has nothing else to say to us. He has many things he could impart to you, and you should be in contact with him through an attorney...that type of contact protects you both. Would hope you would meet with one as soon as possible, in fact through you posts I thought that you had.

I think Bill is saying post the facts, no embellishment, and do not lie and you will be fine.

You feel your animals were stolen, your landlord may have an entirely different perspective. He is out money for the building rental and may not have an inkling just how much your animals are worth. Chris actually did you a favor by stepping in as Animal Control's representative. Your animals could have been in possession of your landlord and be receiving far short of the care they require.

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

Most attorneys will give you an initial consult for free to see if they will take your case.

Except to tell us that the animals are indeed being taken care of and post a copy of the waiver/deed if he has one Chris really has nothing else to say to us. He has many things he could impart to you, and you should be in contact with him through an attorney...that type of contact protects you both. Would hope you would meet with one as soon as possible, in fact through you posts I thought that you had.

I think Bill is saying post the facts, no embellishment, and do not lie and you will be fine.

You feel your animals were stolen, your landlord may have an entirely different perspective. He is out money for the building rental and may not have an inkling just how much your animals are worth. Chris actually did you a favor by stepping in as Animal Control's representative. Your animals could have been in possession of your landlord and be receiving far short of the care they require.

I have spoke to an attorney and he said I have a good case but won't work on contingency. I'm not out to get Chris and I'm certain he was lied too by my landlord and authorities that the animals were abandoned as was told to another resue organization. My landlords were aware the animals were valuable in fact I use to show them off to them and told them what certain animals are worth.

They could have handled this properly through the courts rather than doing what they done.

 

[LakesideBoas]

Well, that is not good. I wish you well in finding a competent attorney. (as much as people joke around about lawyers it's always nice to have a good one on your side in a pinch! )

If they didn't call Chris, they would have called someone else. I, personally, would be glad it was him. He seems like a pretty stand-up guy.

Let us know how this all turns out. If nothing else, people have learned from your plight so your experience might help someone else.

 

[Ed Clark]

I'm sure I've said to much already so I'm leaving this thread.

Steve, best of luck. your in a tough situation.

 

[DaveyFig]

Dave... I can tell you this much.... if that ever happened to me..... the first to get relocated WOULD BE my high end stuff.... both myself... and my friend that helps me would see to that.... then we would move the lower end stuff out.

And maybe his GF couldnt get the lower end animals out before problems arose.

Honestly.... would you leave the high end animals there... probably knowing that the landlord may try something. Nope you wouldnt.

The problem I have with this is that everyone involved knew how many snakes there were. If they were going to take all of them and not abandon some, why not rent a truck?
If they planned all along to take every snake, would it matter in which order they were taken in?
Of course the girlfriend didn't get them out before probelms arose. Had there not been problems, there would have been no reason to take them!
Unless I read wrong, the power was not turned off, so the heat was sufficient to sustain the animals, and yet some died. How long does it take for reptiles to die without food and water? How long was it before Chris was called? If everything was on the up and up, I think it would have been fairly easy for someone to call and say "Yeah, I know there is some money owed, and the building is locked out, but there are animals that will die if not cared for". If nothing else, Chris would have been called earlier.
Why were there no attempts to save the lives of those that were left? If there were attempts, I would like to see records.
The only reason I could see for taking only the high end stuff is they planned to abandon the rest. Whether they didn't have room for them where they were going, or time, or whatever, the person who picked up the animals was very choosey when loading the vehicle. It doesn't matter why the others were left...They were left to die, and some did.

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

Dave and anyone wishing to comment. Please read the entire thread before making comments or assumtions.

 

[John E Dove]

Ya know, I have read and read this thread trying to work it all out in my mind and someone feel free to correct any misperception.
The only way it all makes sense is Mr. Markevich irresponsibly allowed himself to sink into a hole and kept digging to the point his landlord called his unpaid debt due. Of course I am ignoring the other responsibilities he was ignoring.
The landlord announced his intention to confiscate property if not paid and Mr. Markevich attempted, in person or by proxy, to salvage his most valuable animals first then his lesser. Fully understandable.
Somewhere in the middle of all this the landlord caught on to what was happening and blocked the salvage effort fearing a total loss on what was owed him.
The animals, no longer being cared for, suffered and some died.
Then the law became involved, likely at the landlords request due to his unwillingness to deal with the animals.

Am I off here? If so would someone please write up the time line as you see it?

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

The landlord announced his intention to confiscate property if not paid and Mr. Markevich attempted, in person or by proxy, to salvage his most valuable animals first then his lesser. Fully understandable. Somewhere in the middle of all this the landlord caught on to what was happening and blocked the salvage effort fearing a total loss on what was owed him.

In PA residential leasing, a landlord can not evict, lock out or confiscate property without following the appropriate system set in place by state law (as I outlined in post #62). Commercial leasing may be different or their may have been something in Steve M's lease stating that he gave up his rights (which, according to my residential leasing paperwork, if their is something in a lease that opposes state law, state law trumps the lease if it gets to court).

Assuming that PA residential rental law is the same (or very close) as commercial rental law...What Steve M said the landlord did is illegal. Being that Steve M admitted to eviction proceedings pending (which according to him were not issued until after the confiscation of the animals), I think it's pretty safe to say that the landlord started the process appropriately, but something happened that shouldn't have in regards to access to the animals being denied and then them being confiscated.

 

[John E Dove]

Thank you Ms. Kunder.
Like yourself I am not familiar with Pennsylvania Commercial Rental Laws but having read through this thread I believe I am safe in assuming that Mr. Markevich was primarily responsible for what occurred due to his failure to pay his debts et al.
Please note that I did not say totally responsible but rather primarily responsible.
It would seem to me that whatever the laws of that state are the shame, in regard to the animals, is bared by more than one party in this matter. First by the debtor for his default, whether by intent negligence or poor planning, then by the landlord by either his illegal actions or his neglect.
In any case I, and the plaintiff I am sure, am glad I do not have to sit on the bench or jury deciding this one since I am of the belief that the one to commit the first crime is responsible for what results from that crime.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

The bottom line to

all of this comes down to monies owed ! Usually under normal circumstances, the landlord gets an eviction notice from the court and places it on the face of the door. By that time, if the tenant is smart enough, he is gone by then with whatever inventory he desires to take. Whatever he leaves is usually discarded by the landlord either by private removal or dropped on the sidewalk for vultures to grab at.. That certainly was not the case here. With Steve his irresponsibility from previous exploits are not isolated.. He had ample time and opportunity to move out his animals. He knew he was going out of business and did nothing to even protect his own interests until it moved into the hands of the authorities. So now he has not only civil liabilities but criminal as well.. An eventual outcome.

 

[shrap]

Usually under normal circumstances, the landlord gets an eviction notice from the court and places it on the face of the door. By that time, if the tenant is smart enough, he is gone by then with whatever inventory he desires to take.

That is exactly how it is done in Indiana. As a landlord you file in small claims court, the judge will issue an eviction notice. The tenant will then have XX amount of days to vacate the property after receiving the eviction notice. Anything left after the eviction date is considered abandoned property.

We all run across circumstances in our lives that force us to make tough decisions. Choices that we plain dont want to have to choose between, never dreamed we would have to choose between. If you have never had to make those kinds of choices in your life yet, thank your lucky stars. If you have made some bad choices that left you at rock bottom then you know there are no easy choices left. Every choice you make at this point is going to cause suffering somewhere.

None of us know the full story around this whole thing. No one can say what the circumstances were surrounding Steve and what bad decisions he made. Because yes he made some bad decisions, not necessarily unethical decisions, just not the right decisions. Otherwise he never would have been at rock bottom and forced to make some harsh choices.

Ultimately no one is to blame for this whole thing but Steve. But that dont mean Steve wanted any of this to go down like it did. I am sure his master did not include going into debt, getting a criminal record and causing the suffering and death of his animals.

I didnt see Steve out trying to pull some master scam to save his financial ass. So I really dont see Steve intentionally or maliciously causing any of this to happen either.

 

[Bill Stonegate]

When a landlord is going to evict for nonpayment, he must go to the local courthouse and get a "notice to quit". This is usually a notice to vacate within 30 days. The tenant has the right to go before the judge or magistrate, and plead their case, if they believe the eviction is illegal or unfair (they almost never do). If they are not out by then, an actual eviction notice can be issued.

The eviction notice usually gives the tenant 10 - 15 more days to get out. If they are not out by then, the landlord can go to the premises with a marshall, and forcibly evict the tenant and his/her property. Anything left after that becomes property of the landlord.

The landlord must follow this procedure. He cannot just waltz in and confiscate property.

 

[LakesideBoas]

The one good thing about hitting rock bottom is from there there's noplace to go but up.

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

When a landlord is going to evict for nonpayment, he must go to the local courthouse and get a "notice to quit". This is usually a notice to vacate within 30 days. The tenant has the right to go before the judge or magistrate, and plead their case, if they believe the eviction is illegal or unfair (they almost never do). If they are not out by then, an actual eviction notice can be issued.

The eviction notice usually gives the tenant 10 - 15 more days to get out. If they are not out by then, the landlord can go to the premises with a marshall, and forcibly evict the tenant and his/her property. Anything left after that becomes property of the landlord.

That is not Pennsylvania state law (where Steve M resides).

Instead of repetitively going back and forth about what is and is not illegal regarding Pennsylvania commercial rental law (I already detailed Pennsylvania residential rental law)...I will go into the magistrates office and pick up the information myself on Monday (barring me going into labor between now and then ). I live literally down the road from the magistrates office, so it's no big deal. It will once and for all tell us if what the landlord did was in fact illegal per state law so that whole argument can be put to rest.

 

[Bill Stonegate]

That is not Pennsylvania state law (where Steve M resides).

Instead of repetitively going back and forth about what is and is not illegal regarding Pennsylvania commercial rental law (I already detailed Pennsylvania residential rental law)...I will go into the magistrates office and pick up the information myself on Monday (barring me going into labor between now and then ). I live literally down the road from the magistrates office, so it's no big deal. It will once and for all tell us if what the landlord did was in fact illegal per state law so that whole argument can be put to rest.

Fair enough. I just woke up, and must have missed your post detailing PA commercial rental laws.