Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home on Hull Street in reference to a burglary in progress and reportedly found the intruder near the home, suffering the after effects of pepper spray.
According to reports, the deputies arrived at the home early Sunday morning and observed a man, later identified as 41-year-old Willie Arron Holland, leaning over the trunk of a vehicle parked near the home. Deputy’s reportedly identified themselves and told Holland to show them his hands, but instead of complying, Holland allegedly yelled obscenities at the deputies.
One deputy moved to the front of Holland and saw that he did not appear to have weapons but that he did seem to have discharge coming from his mouth, nose and eyes, consistent with being sprayed with pepper spray, according to reports. Holland was told to lie on the ground and he allegedly refused to do so, reportedly yelling more obscenities at the deputies.
Reports indicate that deputies noticed Holland clenching his fists as if he intended to harm the deputies so one deputy reportedly pulled his baton and told Holland that he would strike him with it if he did not calm down and lie on the ground.
According to reports, Holland "continued to hold his upper torso in a fighting manner as if he was going to try and physically assault me," and feeling threatened, the deputy reportedly struck Holland in the leg. Holland still allegedly refused to follow commands and reportedly cursed at the deputy time and again, reportedly urging him at one point to hit him in the head.
Holland was once again struck in the leg with the baton, knocking him to his hands and knees but still he refused to lie on the ground, according to reports. The deputy reportedly pushed Holland into a prone position and handcuffed him despite several alleged attempts by Holland to free his hands from the deputy’s grasp.
EMS was called to evaluate Holland after he was secured in a patrol car, and he reportedly became belligerent and attempted to spit on medical personnel as they tried to help him, according to reports.
When deputies spoke with the homeowner, she allegedly told them she had been awoken by what sounded like glass being thrown against the front door. She reportedly got out of the bed to investigate, and when she entered the area of her home where the front door is located, the door was reportedly forced open violently.
The woman allegedly told deputies that the man kicked in the door and screamed "I’m going to kill you." According to reports, the woman told deputies she was in fear for her life and reached for a can of pepper spray, spraying it in the general area of the man’s face.
Deputies allegedly found the front door of the residence had been kicked in and there was a shoe print on the outside of the door near the lower left side. The wooden jam was broken off the wall where the deadbolt was engaged and deputies noticed a shattered glass beer bottle by the door, according to reports.
Holland was allegedly treated at Newton Medical Center and transported to the Newton County Detention Center where he was charged with terroristic threats and acts, simple assault, criminal trespassing, obstruction of officers and public intoxication.
