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Paul Cooper of Lititz faces seven charges, said Jeff Bridi, the commission's assistant director of law enforcement.
Three counts result from failure to have the proper permits to possess certain native species.
"When the regulations were changed at the beginning of 2007, anybody who had things currently in their possession, were no longer allowed to legally possess them," Bridi said.
They could apply for new permits under the revised guidelines, but Cooper did not.
Cooper also faces two counts of "having more than the limit" for reptiles in his possession and two counts of having native species "that were illegally obtained."
"He was also charged with cruelty to animals," Bridi said. "He had a lot of things in his possession, and he wasn't caring for them as well."
Bridi did not know specifically what species of reptiles Cooper had, but said "he was into turtles."
The charges are still pending, Bridi said, although "he (pleaded) guilty." A summons has been issued.
"He's got many, many pages of citations," Bridi said.
The arrests were the culmination of an 18-month investigation by the Fish and Boat Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement that netted a dozen people from from three states.
"It is alleged that the defendants offered to sell reptiles unlawfully either via advertisements on the Internet or at trade shows," Bridi said. "Further investigation uncovered evidence of unlawful importation and possession as well as other criminal offenses."
During the investigation, law enforcement officers posed as reptile collectors. They contacted the subjects through e-mail and at trade shows. After purchasing the reptiles, officers served search warrants at a number of locations to obtain additional evidence.
Those caught in the operation hailed from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
If convicted, the defendants face fines of $50 to $500 per offense.
Bridi said populations of many native species of reptiles and amphibians are in decline because of a variety of factors such as loss of habitat.
"The unlawful collection of animals from the wild can be another stressor on populations, and for this reason the sale of most native reptiles and amphibians is prohibited," Bridi said.
Reptiles that are native to Pennsylvania include wood turtles, eastern box turtles, spotted turtles, snapping turtles, timber rattlesnakes and copperheads.
Bridi said the investigation is still ongoing and that other individuals may face charges.
E-mail: lalexander@lnpnews.com
