William Frederick Buchman
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014
Case # 14CF0670
SCHOOL TEACHER SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AFTER HOARDING AND IMPROPERLY HOUSING OVER 400 SNAKES
SANTA ANA – A Newport Beach elementary school teacher was convicted and sentenced today for animal abuse after hoarding and improperly housing over 400 snakes. William Frederick Buchman, 53, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal abuse by a caretaker. The defendant was sentenced to three years of formal probation, 100 hours of volunteer community service, is required to undergo a 16-week animal neglect prevention program, and is barred from owning, possessing, caring for, or living with any animal for five years. Buchman has also paid $17,000 in restitution for veterinary treatment and animal care and donated $25,000 worth of reptile cages from his collection to a snake rescue organization.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2014, Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Animal Services Section responded to complaints made by several of Buchman’s neighbors concerning a foul smell coming from the house. Continue reading