Statham Officer Uses Taser on Suspect Wielding Gun

A Watkinsville man was Tased on Dec. 3, 2011, when a Statham police officer found him pointing a gun.

The officer was patrolling the area around the Texaco on Atlanta Highway when he or she observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. Upon returning to the area later, the officer found the trunk of the car open. After checking the rear of the business, the officer left the area again. Upon returning, the trunk was closed.

The officer again drove around the building and observed a white male standing near the rear door of . When the officer pursued the man on foot, the suspect ran behind the . Upon returning to the rear corner of the building, the officer found the suspect crouched behind an air conditioning unit.

According to an incident report, the officer illuminated the man with his Taser and saw that the suspect was pointing a gun. The officer Tased the suspect and drew his own weapon. The suspect, Jeremy William Stanton, 29, of 1252 Wirebridge Road in Watkinsville, was taken into custody without further incident and without injury to either him or the officer.

The suspect complained of shortness of breath at the scene and was transported to . He was released later Saturday morning and was taken by Statham officers to the , where he was booked on multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm by a convicted felon or offender, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit felonies and loitering.

Statham police determined the gun the suspect was wielding had been taken a few hours earlier in a burglary that occurred in Oconee County.