TURN BACK NOW, herpetophobes.
That means you, people afraid of snakes and reptiles.
Robert Keszey, the star of Discovery Channel's "Swamp Brothers," was found guilty of conspiracy to traffic in state- and federally protected reptiles in U.S. District Court here in Philadelphia. Keszey was convicted along with Robroy MacInnes, his partner at Glades Herp Farm Inc., of trafficking in protected timber rattlesnakes in violation of the Lacey Act.
"Swamp Brothers," the 2011 Discovery show, features Keszey and his brother Stephen Keszey legally selling snakes at the Glades Herp Farm.
Between 2007 and 2008, Keszey and MacInnes collected protected snakes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, bought protected eastern timber rattlesnakes and transported federally threatened eastern indigo snakes from Florida to Pennsylvania, according to the feds.
The snakes were supposed to be sold in Europe for $800 a pop. Unsold snakes would be put on the market at the Glades Herp Farm.
Keszey and MacInnes could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each violation.
I reached out to the Discovery Channel for comment but did not hear back.
Peete's birthday wish
Gayle Jackson, proud mama bear of Eagle DeSean and president of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, helped Rodney Peete Jr. with his birthday wish.
The son of former Eagle Rodney Peete and actress Holly Robinson Peete wanted nothing more than to attend an Eagles game for his 16th birthday. Rodney Jr., or RJ, was diagnosed with autism when he was a toddler. So Gayle hosted the mom and son at the recent home win against the Redskins.
Joining the birthday bunch was R&B songstress Ashanti, who just completed work on a new album.
The Peetes aren't the only stars Jackson has hosted. She recently watched the game with "The Best Man Holiday" star Morris Chestnut.
* In other sporting news, Sixers breakout (albeit ailing) star Michael Carter-Williams will do the meet-and-greet thing, as well as sign autographs, at Modell's Sporting Goods (2465 S. 24th St.) from 6 to 7 p.m. tomorrow.
'Unsung' heroes
Philly's own Delfonics will get their chance to shine on TV One's "Unsung," a biography program that chronicles the "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" band. Catch it on TV One at 8 tonight.
National Kane
Dean of Philly news anchors Larry Kane was invited to the National Press Club's 36th annual Book Fair and Authors' Night last night in Washington. Kane, who was chatting about his book When They Were Boys: The True Story of the Beatles' Rise to the Top, was joined by the likes of Deadspin's Drew Magary; Mark Leibovich, chief national correspondent for New York Times Magazine; and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Peterson's pep
Celebrity-boxing curator Damon Feldman will host a pep rally at 8 tonight at Chickie & Pete's (1526 Packer Ave.) to announce his new brand, the Celebrity Team, featuring Gervase Peterson of "Survivor."
Feldman will announce details about his Dec. 21 fight card, and welcomes fans to watch Peterson compete on "Survivor: Blood vs. Water."