Hagerstown Man Arrested Selling Illegal Venomous Snake to Police

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD – Joshua Lee Roberts, 36, of Hagerstown, was arrested by Natural Resources Police for attempting to sell a venomous snake

. The arrest occurred on Friday, when officers arranged to purchase a male West African Bush Viper listed on Craigslist by Roberts.

Roberts faces a maximum fine of $1,000. The snake was seized and is temporarily housed at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont. Maryland law prohibits the sale or possession of venomous snakes as pets.

Jeff Jones

Jeff is a 2nd-year college student in Maryland. He is aspiring to become a newsroom video editor. He is working on his B.S. in Digital Journalism and Media.

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