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The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has made an arrest in connection with the death of Wade Westbrook after he was bitten by a copperhead snake Jan. 29. Westbrook died from anaphylactic shock following the bite, the same thing which can kill individuals stung by a honeybee.

TWRA wildlife officers have arrested Chuck Hurd for a total of 48 wildlife violations. At a 3 pm news conference in they said he had 12 native poisonous snakes in his possession. He is charged with fours counts per snake. They believe Hurd has been illegally selling snakes since 2005. They say more charges are possible against Hurd, and others could be charged in the case as well. Hurd is scheduled for his first court appearance in Hamilton County General Sessions Court Monday, Feb. 7 at 1:30.

According to his website, Hurd is a snake expert and consultant. It is believed that he provided the snake which killed Westbrook.

There were conflicting stories of why the copperhead was at Westbrook's house in the first place.

Police said were told by Westbrook's wife, Stephanie that Westbrook's friend who only identified himself to police as "Chris," found a copperhead outdoors and brought it into Westbrook's home on Saturday night, asking Westbrook to determine the gender of the snake. It's an explanation that puzzled authorities and experts because copperheads are not known to be outdoors in this time of year. However, "Chris" told Newschannel 9 that explanation was false.

He declined to go on camera because of the ongoing investigation but said the copperhead belonged to Westbrook and that Mrs. Westbrook made up the story because she thought her husband would get in trouble.

Copperheads are illegal to possess in the state of Tennessee.
www.newschannel9.com/news/westbrook-998271-copperhead-snake.html

State officials said the arrest of Chuck Hurd in connection with an East Ridge man’s snakebite death Sunday is expected to be just the tip of a larger investigation into illegal sales and transportation of dangerous reptiles.

In a news conference moments ago, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Dan Hicks said the agency also hasn’t ruled out the option of seeking involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Wade Westbrook.

Wade Westbrook died from anaphylactic shock — a severe allergic reaction — after a copperhead bit him Sunday. Police said a friend brought the snake to Westbrook to check its gender. Westbrook had been bitten before, his friends said.

Samuel Charles Hurd, 38, of Gate City, Va., was arrested Wednesday night by TWRA officers on 48 counts, according to the affidavit of complaint at the Hamilton County Jail. The charges are related to importation of Class 1 (dangerous) wildlife without a permit.

Hurd “was found to have transported and housed a large black plastic box containing 12 highly venomous snakes,” the complaint states. He is charged with four counts for each of 12 snakes: Possession of Class 1 (dangerous) wildlife; holding such wildlife, possession without documentation and importation without permits, Hicks said.

Hurd was released on his own recognizance.

Hurd’s Facebook page says he graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and lived here for 16 years before moving to Virginia.

His web page is devoted to venomous snakes, with everything catching and caring for them to offers to sell everything from snakes and equipment to venom samples and personal appearances.

In Facebook posts, Hurd has asked for prayer for Westbrook’s family and said he’s shaken and miserable about what happened.

“I know in my head that I didn’t kill Wade, but I feel different in my heart ... without me, he would not have had the snake…”

See complete coverage in Friday's Times Free Press.
www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/feb/03/snakebite-investigation-could-spread-twra-says/