A Lonsdale man was arrested on a felony charge Sunday night after he allegedly threatened Garland County sheriff's deputies who came to his residence to investigate multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the area.
John David Watford, 44, 2256 Highway 128, was arrested at his home around 11 p.m. and charged with felony terroristic threatening, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental operations.
Watford pleaded not guilty to all three charges Monday in Garland County District Court. Judge Meredith Switzer set a felony review hearing for March 5, and set his bond at $3,000.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Deputy John Crow responded to the residence after receiving multiple 911 calls. A nearby neighbor reportedly flagged down the deputy and told him the shots were coming from the next trailer.
Crow made contact with Watford's wife, who reportedly said that her husband was shooting his rifle behind the trailer. She led Crow around the south side of the trailer where he reportedly found Watford standing next to a shed holding an AR-15 rifle.
Crow reportedly observed multiple beer bottles, bullet casings, and ammunition boxes scattered around Watford's general vicinity. When asked to put the weapon down, Watford allegedly stated, "I'm not putting this rifle in the dirt." Crow noted Watford had a slurred and agitated tone to his voice.
After Watford continued to refuse to comply, Crow drew his weapon and demanded Watford drop the rifle. He reportedly continued to refuse Crow's verbal commands for some time before eventually placing the firearm on the ground.
After he did so, he allegedly began walking away, stating, "I still have my pistol." He then walked into the nearby shed and refused to come out.
Crow called for backup and ordered Watford to exit the shed with his hands in the air. Watford allegedly exited the shed and began to walk away, stating "I'm on my property, you come get me."
He walked toward the tree line and reportedly told Crow, "I'm going for a walk." Once Crow lost sight of him, Watford reportedly began yelling, "you can call for all the backup you want, I'm going to shoot every one of you (expletive)."
As Watford exited the tree line, he allegedly began shining a light in Crow's direction while demanding Crow turn off his light and come to him. He then reportedly turned off his light and stated he was going to unload his pistol.
Watford began walking forward holding a handgun in plain view. Around this time, Deputy Clayton Green arrived on the scene to assist. Watford allegedly stated he no longer had a weapon and put his hands in the air.
Crow gave him yet another verbal command to keep his hands up and walk backward in the deputy's direction, to which Watford reportedly stated, "I'm not doing that, you come to me." After giving the same command multiple times, Watford reportedly took off his jacket, threw it to the ground, and walked rapidly in Crow's direction despite his commands to stop.
Watford allegedly stopped just 5 feet from Crow and placed his hands above his head. After being told to turn around and place his hands behind his back, he reportedly stated, "I'm not (expletive) doing that."
Crow drew his pepper spray from his belt and instructed Watford once more. When he allegedly refused, Crow then sprayed him in the face with pepper spray, took him to the ground, and placed him in handcuffs.
A loaded AR-15 rifle and unloaded pistol were recovered from the scene. The magazine for the pistol was reportedly located in Watford's coat pocket.
Local on 01/09/2018