Following the Fourth of July fireworks and a performance at the festival held in the Covington Square, musician Shane Millwood was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and public consumption of alcoholic beverages.
According to reports, at around 11 p.m. Covington Police Department officers working the event observed a group of men drinking out of a bottle of alcohol on the stage located at Clarke and Monticello Streets.
Among those reportedly consuming alcohol on the Square was Millwood, a co-founder and president of building material company Steel Co and a member of several organizations including the Newton County Recreation Commission.
When officers approached the subjects, police said one of the individuals placed the bottle on stage, threw his hands in the air and told an officer he did not possess the alcohol. After talking with CPD, the three men admitted to consuming the alcohol.
However, according to reports, Millwood immediately became agitated, cussed at one of the officers and stated he was leaving. The officers noticed Millwood was "very unsteady on his feet, and at one point almost fell."
After being advised he needed to sign the citation, Millwood reportedly told officer Daniel Digby, "You're not going to tell me what to do." He also reportedly held the citation up in the air and began dancing to the music. According to reports, Millwood claimed he was going to leave, before being told he would be arrested if he left before the issuance of the citation was complete.
When again told he was going to be arrested if he did not sign, he became agitated and told Digby, "You better back away from me." Digby reported that Millwood then looked at him and said, "Let's go." According to reports when CPD Capt. Ken Malcom was issuing the citation, Millwood told him to "write me the f-ing ticket"
After Millwood was given several opportunities to sign the citation, he reportedly told Digby to "take me to jail."
He was then placed in handcuffs and arrested with charges of disorderly conduct and consumption of alcohol.
Officers also reported they were told by witnesses that Millwood was making rude comments and flicking someone off in the crowd.