Campbell County snake-handling preacher arrested on driving charges

Jan. 27--The snake-handling Campbell County preacher who beat a charge of owning illegal serpents now faces charges of driving on a suspended license, without proof of insurance and without a vehicle registration.

Campbell County Sheriff's Office deputies stopped the Rev. Andrew Hamblin on state Highway 116 near Caryville on Friday around 4 p.m., Chief Deputy Aaron Evans said. A routine check showed his driver's license had been suspended for failure to appear in court in Kentucky, Evans said.

Evans said he didn't know what charge Hamblin failed to appear on or in what county in Kentucky.

Hamblin also had no proof of insurance and no registration for the vehicle he drove, Evans said. He was cited and released on his own recognizance.

Hamblin made national headlines when Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers seized 53 venomous snakes from the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., where Hamblin serves as pastor. He was charged with illegal possession of wild animals.

Hamblin portrayed the case as one of the government trampling on his religious beliefs, and a Campbell County grand jury chose not to indict him on the charges.

Some of the snakes died from various diseases, and TWRA officers euthanized the rest.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

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