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Florida man admits he staged capture of 14-foot Burmese python.

From 10 Connects TV, Tampa Bay, Fla.:

Wildlife handler Justin Matthews of Bradenton, Fla., isn't hiding from his mistakes.

"It was a stupid thing to do, it really was," he told 10 Connects.

This week, he pleaded no contest to charges against him for staging the capture of a 14-foot Burmese python in July. He was arrested in November on charges of misusing the 911 emergency system and threatening the public by mishandling wildlife.

Matthews accepted two years probation and 100 hours of community service on Tuesday.

"I'm never going to step over the line again, do something that was stupid. I tied up a line, there could have been someone having a heart attack or fire or trying to call 911," he said.

10 Connects was among the local media and law enforcement who responded to the Bradenton drainage pipe where Matthews claimed to capture the 14-foot python.

He later admitted he did it to raise awareness about the dangers pythons pose to the environment and people. The death of a Florida toddler in July spurred the hoax, he said.

"I'm very passionate about what I do. I do the presentations every week, six days a week and I let that passion get me carried away, I stepped over the line," he admitted.