Reptiles Magazine
Robert Bowker served two years probation for trafficking timber rattlesnakes.
January 21, 2021
Timber rattlesnake. Photo by Dennis Riabchenko/Shutterstock
As one of his last acts as president, former President Donald J. Trump pardoned a man who was convicted of snake trafficking in the early 1990s. Robert Bowker was convicted of wildlife trafficking in 1993, after pleading guilty to trafficking 22 timber rattlesnakes (
Crotalus horridus), according to a report in the Sun Sentinel. Bowker served two years probation. The snakes ended up at the Miami Serpentarium, which at the time was run by William “Bill” Haast from 1947 to 1984. Haast was one of the most vocal proponents of snake venom research.
Albert Pirro had been among those expected to be on the list issued in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But when he was not, his ex-wife lobbied Trump directly.
Everybody President Trump pardoned on his last day in office:
Todd Boulanger â President Trump granted a full pardon to Todd Boulanger. In 2008, Mr Boulanger pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
Abel HoltzÂ
â President Trump granted a full pardon to Abel Holtz. Mr. Holtz is currently 86 years old. In 1995, he pled guilty to one count of impeding a grand jury investigation and was sentenced to 45 days in prison.
RepresentativeÂ
Rick Renzi â President Trump granted a full pardon to Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona. In 2013, Mr. Renzi was convicted of extortion, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.