A Brazilian national is to appear in front of a magistrate in connection with “transmitting a false message” — understood to be related a rattlesnake that was reported to have been seen in Southampton two months ago.

Victor Bahia is expected to face the charge this morning.

The Department of Public Prosecutions said today: “Under the guidance of the Director of Public Prosecutions, charges were approved against Victor Bahia, a Brazilian national, for transmitting a false message contrary to section 66 of the Electronic Communications Act.

“The criminal proceedings against Victor Bahia concern the role alleged to have been played by him in the distribution of an image which ultimately came to be the subject of great national concern.

“The Department of Public Prosecutions acknowledges the thorough investigation carried out by the Bermuda Police Service towards identifying the appropriate person to be charged.

“The matter is now before the court, and all parties await judicial resolution of the charges.”

It added: “Members of the public are urged to be responsible when sharing information with each other, and the Department of Public Prosecutions remains committed to its mandate to provide Bermuda with an independent, efficient and effective prosecution service, and stands ready to prosecute allegations of mischievous misuse of electronic communications where it is in the public interest to do so.”

While the statement did not reference the report of a rattlesnake, it is understood that is what the case relates to.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said this month that about $50,000 was spent by the Government in efforts to locate the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which was reported to have been seen in the Gibbs Hill area on June 26.

Teams from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and other island organisations, as well as specialists from the US-based National Canine Facility, searched within about a mile of that location for the reptile.

The environment ministry said in July that “no physical evidence, including a snake, shed skin, tracks or scent, was identified” during the searches.

• More to follow