Former owner of king cobra that escaped in 2015 accepts plea deal

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man whose king cobra escaped its enclosure in 2015 appeared in court Wednesday morning.

Michael Kennedy was previously accused of improperly housing the snake and waiting 24 hours to report its escape. He admitted the 24-hour delay to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators.

Kennedy's trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but he accepted a plea deal in which he agreed to pay $1,500 to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program and $2,500 to the agency's law-enforcement division within six months.

Watch Wednesday's court hearing below:

Kennedy pleaded no contest to one count, and the state agreed to drop two counts against him, so the case didn't go to trial.

After the court hearing, Kennedy told Channel 9's Lauren Seabrook that he's pleased to put the case behind him.

"It was obvious I disagreed with them from the very beginning, but the outcome is fine now," he said. "So I'm happy. I'm just glad it's all over."

The exotic animal handler said that he's eager to return to helping wildlife.

"Two of the charges were dismissed altogether," Kennedy said. "No adjudication on the other one. Making contribution to a wildlife fund that I support anyway, so I'm totally satisfied."

The 2015 escape triggered a monthlong search for the snake in west Orange County and even prompted an elementary school to be placed under lockdown.

After the escape, FWC revoked Kennedy’s license to keep exotic pets, including Elvis, the snake that slithered out of its cage.

“I apologize for any panic I did cause to anybody, but we do a lot of good work on that property also,” he said. “We have crocodiles and big cats and so forth. We do a lot of rescue (work) for the state.”

Cynthia Mullvain found the snake behind her dryer in October 2015. She told Channel 9 that she didn't think Kennedy should face jail time or fines.

“He's fighting a battle, and I wish him luck in winning,” Mullvain said.

George Van Horn, of Reptile World Serpentarium, said that when exotic animals escape, it can have a negative effect on the industry.

“A little incident like this causes public concern, which sometimes results in regulations that are a little over the top,” he said.

Wednesday's hearing came two days after a cobra escaped from its enclosure near a home in Ocala. Wildlife officers continued their search for the snake on Wednesday.

Cox Media Group