Saco police probe deadly viper discovery

Saco police to continue will investigate how a venomous African snake ended up behind the Saco Cinemagic.

Police Chief Brad Paul said a man hiking on trails behind the movie theater Monday discovered what appeared to be a dead snake. The man called police after seeing the 5-foot-long snake with brightly colored patterns, he said.

“It was about as big around as your lower leg,” Paul said.

Paul said Animal Control Officer Bruce Reynolds brought the dead snake back to the station and contacted a game warden. Meanwhile, another officer recognized the snake as a Gaboon viper, which is illegal to own in Maine, he said. 

Paul said Gaboon vipers are “very poisonous” and their venom can kill a human in one bite. The breed releases the highest amount of venom among vipers and has 1-inch, deeply curved fangs, he said.

Investigators believe the snake was released alive and died from exposure to cold weather, Paul said.

The person who released the snake could face charges depending on the circumstances of how it was released and if police can prove the snake was alive when it was released, he said.

The warden service took possession of the snake.

Anyone with information is asked to call Saco police at 284-4535.

Saco man indicted on sex crime charges

A Saco man in federal custody on drug charges was indicted this week for sex crimes.

John W. Lane, 68, was indicted by a York County Grand Jury on a charge of unlawful sexual contact with a child younger than 12 in 2004. He also was indicted for sexual abuse of a minor; sexual exploitation of a minor; two counts of possession of sexually explicit material; and aggravated furnishing of a drug to a child.

Those charges stem from an alleged incident in Saco last year, said Saco Detective Sgt. David Loranger.

Loranger said the charges involve two victims.

Lane currently is in federal custody in Ohio, where he was indicted last December on a count of conspiracy to possess and distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.

Body of woman found in Kennebunk 

A body of a Kennebunk woman was found along a steep gully on Erica Way in Kennebunk Tuesday morning.

Susan Danis, 53, was discovered by a passer-by who came upon a truck parked near the side of the road around 7 a.m. and saw a body further down the gully, according to Maine Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Stephen McCausland, who did not release the name of the witness.

McCausland said Danis lived nearby with her mother near Cat Mousam Road and had medical problems. He said there was no indication of foul play.

An autopsy will be preformed Wednesday after the Courier’s deadline.

– Staff Writer Gillian Graham