OAKDALE – A man charged in Kinder last year with 21 counts of felony cruelty to animals after a raid on his reptile farm has been returned to Allen Parish for a bond hearing this week.

David Beauchemin, 45, a fugitive from Louisiana, was arrested in Quitman, Texas in April after authorities found 79 boa constrictors, pythons and anacondas, some as long as 20 feet, in a cargo trailer on his property.

He and his wife failed to appear for arraignment in district court last September. Authorities say Tawni Beauchemin remains at large.

Texas authorities said the snakes in that case appeared undernourished and were living in filthy conditions.

Many, officials said, were believed to be on the exotic snake list which requires a permit for possession of them.

The couple faces the cruelty charges and one count of possession of snakes longer than 12 feet without a state permit.

They also have charges against them of violating interstate commerce by selling snakes that it was not legal to possess, theft by fraud of less than $300, telephone harassment and stalking.

Texas authorities said they believe David Beauchemin was operating an internet snake sales business from his motor home on the Quitman property.

While in Allen Parish, he operated HighEndHerps.com and Happy Hounds Rescue.