Snake Found on Defendant in Roanoke Court

Woman had baby ball python in her coat pocket when she was taken into custody

Police say no charges will be filed against a woman who brought a baby ball python into Roanoke General District Court.

The Roanoke Times reports that the snake was in Rebekah Lynn Bowers' coat pocket and wasn't displayed in a threatening manner.

Bowers appeared in court Tuesday on a misdemeanor failure to appear charge. Lt. Chuck Ferguson with the Roanoke Sheriff's Office says she told deputies about the snake when she was taken into custody.

He estimates the snake was about a foot long. But he says it remained coiled because it was cold.

A friend of Bowers owns the snake. Roanoke police spokesman Scott Leamon says the friend regained custody of the snake from animal control on Tuesday evening.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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