Leesburg arrest leads to man being Tased, maced

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By Sarah Allen [email protected]

A Wilmington man is facing charges in Hillsboro Municipal Court following an incident Tuesday that reportedly ended with a deputy using a Taser and later mace.

An affidavit filed with the court states that Leesburg police responded shortly before noon to a report that an individual was “being belligerent (and) intoxicated” at a business in the village. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the suspect, later identified as Jeremy Thomas, 36.

They reported that “a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage” came from Thomas’ person and that he was unstable and had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit adds that the officers advised Thomas to leave the premises. Thomas then allegedly “became disorderly and stuck his hands out in front of his person and advised (officers) to just arrest him several times,” the affidavit states.

Officers reported that Thomas was eventually taken into custody. When one officer grabbed Thomas’ left arm, he allegedly “started attempting to get his … left hand loose and started swinging his right hand,” according to the affidavit.

After first going to the Leesburg Police Department, Thomas was taken to the Highland County Justice Center. During transport, Thomas allegedly “stated to (the officers) … that he knew where (they) lived and could not wait to get out of jail,” the affidavit states.

The affidavit adds that once he arrived at the jail Thomas “stated that when he got out of the handcuffs he was going to knock someone’s head off.”

He was reportedly placed inside the holding room, where he “became very belligerent,” according to the affidavit. At that time, one of the deputies reportedly deployed his Taser.

A second affidavit further describes Thomas’ arrival at the jail. The deputy reports that Thomas was allegedly “very agitated and was resisting by tensing up his body.”

The deputy further reported that Thomas allegedly said, “When these cuffs come off, someone’s head is going to get split,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit adds that when the deputy brought out his Taser, Thomas allegedly said that he was not “scared of (him)” and that the deputy was “going to have to Tase (him).”

The deputy reported that Thomas was later taken into the detox cell in the intake room. When the deputy attempted to provide medical treatment, Thomas “became very disorderly by hitting and kicking the cell windows and doors,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit adds that Thomas was told multiple times to stop. After his fifth warning, the deputy deployed mace “in efforts to cease (Thomas’) behavior as it caused a risk of harm to (Thomas) … and jail property,” the affidavit states.

Thomas was arraigned on second-degree misdemeanor resisting arrest and minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Wednesday.

According to court records, Thomas’ bond is set at his own recognizance (OR). He was placed on a curfew and ordered to have no contact with the involved business. A pretrial is set for Aug. 7.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.

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