File photo of Burmese python. This is not the snake that was reportedly involved in the incident.
A former inmate of the Dale County (Ala.) Jail claims two correctional officers used a snake to torture him.
Trawick Redding Jr., of Ozark, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against Dale County, Sheriff Wally Olson, two correctional officers and other jail staff.
He claims correctional officers used a "deadly and venomous snake as a means of torture, assault of inmate, cruel and unusual punishment" while he was in jail two years ago.
"We think this is a very serious matter that should be dealt with," Redding's attorney Martin Weinberg told AL.com. "This was not just a garden snake that somebody just found on the ground walking into the jail or the woods by the jail. This was something that was planned out as a means to control, torture and harass the inmates."
According to the lawsuit, Redding claims Glenn brought a yellow Burmese python described as being 6 to 7 feet long into the jail. Despite the claims in the suit, Burmese pythons are not venomous.
