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Rattlesnake man will not be charged for carrying venomous reptile around Jacksonville Beach

Officers say the snake was taken to a remote woods and released. Snake handler who claimed to be "an agent of God" not charged.

A man approaching random strangers while holding a six-foot venomous rattlesnake will not be charged, according to Jacksonville Beach Police. 

The man was stopped Monday morning near the Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station after police were called following reports from passerby. 

One witness, who shot video of the snake's capture, said the man was approaching strangers and claiming to be an "agent of God." 

The snake turned out to be an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake -- one of six venomous reptiles native to Florida. Police had the man place the snake in a squad car until wildlife officials arrived. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agent later extracted the snake and put it in a plastic bin. Police say it was relocated to a forested area on the city's far Westside. 

It's illegal to keep, possess or display venomous reptiles without a permit, according to Florida Statutes, but penalties can be light. A Broward County man caught with 10 venomous snakes in January was fined $25 and required to perform 25 hours of community service.

Permit holders must document at least 1,000 hours of experience for each reptile they want to obtain a permit for and must submit a bite protocol to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. There are over 290 venomous reptile permit holders in the state. 

Larry Ellis, who shot video of the snake capture, was walking the beach with his wife when the man approached them. Ellis told First Coast News he believed the man was homeless.

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