An El Cajon man who had an illegal assault-style rifle and an American alligator in his home was placed on three years probation Wednesday and ordered to perform 10 days of public work service.

Christopher Shawn Hendry Jr., 25, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to felony possession of an assault rifle and a misdemeanor violation of state wildlife laws.

Hendry, a plumber, had been charged with keeping 27 poisonous snakes in his garage and possessing an illegally modified handgun with a silencer.

Police found the snakes, including two cobras, during a search of the defendant's home.

Defense attorney Vikas Bajaj said Hendry collected the snakes as a hobby and kept them in locked cages.

But photos seized by police showed some of the snakes on the loose and ready to strike.

Hendry unsuccessfully asked Judge Herbert Exarhos to reduce the felony conviction to a misdemeanor, but the defendant can re-petition the court in a year or 18 months if he is performing well on probation, said Deputy District Attorney Jessica Schuster.