Man who hoarded snakes in Santa Ana pleads guilty

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- An elementary school teacher has pleaded guilty to animal abuse after more than 400 pythons were found inside his Santa Ana home. More than half of them were dead.

William Frederick Buchman, 53, has been sentenced to three years of probation, 100 hours of community service, is required to undergo a 16-week animal neglect prevention program, and is barred from owning or living with any animal for the next five years.

The Newport Beach sixth-grade teacher has also been ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution for veterinary treatment and animal care.

Police discovered the snakes on Jan. 29 after neighbors complained of a strong odor.

Officials say Buchman neglected to care for the snakes, which led to the deaths of 240 pythons in various stages of decomposition. He also had hundreds of live and dead mice as food for the snakes.

The pythons that survived were treated and released to rescue groups throughout Southern California.