Man found with reptiles, accused of sexual assault pleads no contest

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee man accused of sexual assault and keeping hundreds of reptiles in poor conditions in a home was back in court Monday morning, November 12th.

On Monday, 62-year-old Cullen pleaded no contest to a fourth degree sexual assault charge -- a misdemeanor.

All other charges will be dismissed in five months, as long as Cullen commits no crimes and does not have any contact with the victim in that time.

Cullen was also ordered to make a $1,000 donation to the Humane Society.

Cullen was arrested at his south side home back in 2012 after police found more than 200 snakes, turtles and alligators in poor conditions while investigating a sexual assault.

Cullen, a self-proclaimed reptile expert, says he was rehabbing the reptiles. Cullen said the 24-year-old woman he's accused of sexually assaulting was someone he interviewed for a volunteer position.

Cullen initially pleaded guilty to the charges and was headed to trial. However, Cullen's attorney wanted to have the case dismissed or reach a plea deal instead. 

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