Snake-handler won’t be charged, can’t have snakes
JACKSBORO, Tenn. (AP) – A snake-handling Campbell County preacher isn’t facing charges for illegally possessing poisonous snakes, but he also isn’t getting back the 53 snakes seized by wildlife officials last November.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Matt Cameron told the Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1d40b4C) it makes no difference that a Campbell County grand jury declined to indict Andrew Hamblin on Wednesday. Cameron said the snakes are contraband, just like illegal drugs.
This fall, Hamblin appeared on the National Geographic Channel reality show “Snake Salvation.” Wildlife officials have said the show is the reason they knew that Hamblin kept poisonous snakes.
The snakes seized from Hamblin’s Tabernacle Church of God were taken to the Knoxville Zoo. Officials there said many of the snakes were sick, and 32 have died from parasite infection and stress.
