. >> where is the cottonmouth at. >> reporter: local authorities see it as a reckless dangerous menaceheed had snakes. took us to the church. officers went in. picked the snakes up out of his snake room. and, seized them. >> reporter: earlier this month, the state of tennessee seized 50 poise this stakes from pastor hamlin and cited him for illegally possessing them. >> i'men the united states of america. i have a constitutional right as a -- a right-minded adult. that if i believe so strongly that the spirit of god moves on me, to take a serpents, that i should have my constitutional right to do it. rancheros h >> reporter: how is handling a snake a religious expression? >> just the same way to me, taking up serpents and our religious ceremonies is like -- the catholic who used wine in their communion on sundays. >> reporter: using snakes during services is a long-standing tradition. one that took root here more than a century ago. his own grandfather handled serpents as a preacher as did his father. four generations now including his grown son? kutz mentored hamlin in kentucky now he