Man leaves dead rattlesnake on Cottonwood police memorial

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (AP) - A 23-year-old Cottonwood man thought it would be funny to put a dead rattlesnake on a city police memorial but authorities were not amused.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that Nathan Cody Cumiford has been released on his own recognizance and is facing a misdemeanor charge of criminal littering.

Cumiford was arrested by Cottonwood police Monday after they saw surveillance footage that showed him placing the reptile on a memorial statue honoring fallen officers.

Police Sgt. Tod Moore says when asked about why he did it, Cumiford allegedly laughed and said it was meant to be a joke.

Cumiford also told police he had killed the snake somewhere between Cottonwood and Tuzigoot National Monument.

Cottonwood is approximately 100 miles north of Phoenix.