Northeast

New York man who smuggled pythons into the US by hiding them in his pants sentenced to probation, fined $5k

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2024

New York man who smuggled pythons into the US by hiding them in his pants sentenced to probation, fined k

A New York City man was sentenced on Wednesday to one year of probation and fined $5,000 for smuggling Burmese pythons into the U.S. from Canada in 2018.

Calvin Bautista, 38, of Richmond Hill, New York, was sentenced in the Northern District of New York after previously admitting to smuggling three Burmese pythons into the U.S. during a bus ride from Montreal to the Big Apple on July 15, 2018, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman.

The bus he was on passed through the Champlain Port of Entry in Clinton County, New York.

FORMER PENN STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR ACCUSED OF CRIMES INVOLVING ANIMALS FACING ADDITIONAL CHARGES

A New York man was sentenced to a year probation and fined $5,000 on Wednesday for smuggling three Burmese pythons into the U.S. from Canada in 2018. (RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images)

The pythons were discovered when Customs and Border Protection officers were reviewing Bautista’s passport and conducting a border search, according to Freedman. The young adult snakes were inside snake bags attached to his pants near his inner thigh.

Burmese pythons are not native to North America and are considered an invasive species, and Bautista did not have the permits and documentation required to bring them into the country.

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According to court documents obtained by The Associated Press, Bautista purchased the snakes at a reptile store in Canada. They were worth more than $2,500.

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world and is considered a vulnerable species in Asia – its native continent.

A Burmese python, a nonnative species in North America considered to be invasive, is captured in south Florida. (FWC photo by Andy Wraithmell)

The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and CBP and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.

Bautista’s attorney had no comment when contacted by The AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Vermont

Skier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort

Published

29 minutes ago

March 29, 2026

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Skier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort

WARREN, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont State Police are investigating the death of a skier at Sugarbush Resort.

Police were notified at about 3:26 p.m. Saturday that a skier had died following a fall on Stein’s Run at Sugarbush Lincoln Peak.

The male victim fell and slid into a wooded area off the trail, according to police.

Ski patrol members found the man unresponsive and brought him to the base of the mountain, where they were met by the Mad River Valley Ambulance. The victim was pronounced dead due to his injuries.

Police say the death does not appear suspicious. An autopsy will be performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington to determine the cause and manner of death.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

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Boston, MA

+)WAY TO WATCH Ｆｒｅｅ Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE

Published

7 hours ago

March 29, 2026

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Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals

Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE GAME: Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals look to seize control of thrilling Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals. Every team in the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals will host Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals at Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals Park Stadium with the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals a single point ahead of Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals in the standings and just one behind leaders Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals.

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Pittsburg, PA

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2026

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.

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