Police say 42-year-old James Pearson told officers that the snake in his hand was poisonous. But a detective who knows about snakes recognized that the reptile was not venomous.
Officers arrived Saturday night after an elderly woman called saying Pearson had violated a restraining order.
Police say Pearson threw a chair at the detectives and wrestled with them before dropping the snake.
None of the officers was injured and the snake was safely isolated.
Pearson was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and violating a restraining order. He also faces weapons charges for wielding the snake. It wasn't known if he's retained a lawyer.
