Two men were arrested in Guthrie County Sunday after a suspicious vehicle call turned into a physical fight between a deputy and suspect.
“Deputy (Kent) Gries was just on his routine patrol, I think working his way toward his residence, when he noticed a vehicle he thought he should check out and it went downhill from there” says Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright
Deputy Gries was in the parking lot of the Casey’s General Story in Panora around 4am Sunday when he spotted the suspicious vehicle. While making contact with the two adult males in the car, the deputy suspected criminal activity was occurring and also saw a weapon in the vehicle.
While attempting to pat down Jessie Lynn Crawford of rural Jamaica, the suspect became violent began assaulting the deputy by striking him numerous times in the head and upper torso. The Sheriff’s office says the “intense physical struggle” ensued for a lengthy period of time both in the parking lot and in the yard of a business near Casey’s.
Deputy Gries was able to use both his primary and backup Tasers on Crawford, but the suspect was able to fight through the effects and continue resisting arrest, which Sheriff Marty Arganbright says is not normal.
“Anyone that carries a Taser has all been certified, as far as officers, so we’ve all been tased with it. So I know personally, when I was tased it would have been hard for me. You can’t even get up, so that’s not normal” says Arganbright.
Which he says could possibly be attributed to being under the influence, among other things.
“Yes, it’s possible there is some sort of influence there. Also you know the factor of not wanting to cooperate and being angry and depending on the situation, some people fight back.”
The deputy attempted to call for emergency assistance but was unable to reach Guthrie County dispatch. He was however able to hit the “panic button” on his portable radio and Panora EMS was called to the scene.
Eventually, a passing motorist witnessed the struggle and stopped to help assist in taking Crawford into custody. He was treated by on-scene by Panora EMS and later released. Deputy Gries also received treatment for physical exhaustion, scrapes and bruises.
During the arrest, Crawford was found to be in possession of approximately 44 grames of methamphetamine, which the Sheriff’s office says is the largest seizure quantity the department has seen in recent history.
Crawford was booked into the Guthrie County jail and faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver more than give grams of methamphetamine and assault while participating in a felony. He’s also charged with interference with official acts with injury to a peace officer and assault with injury to a peace officer.
David Michael Cannon of Grand Junction, who Sheriff Arganbright said fortunately waited in the vehicle as the fight went on, is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon.
Both suspects are convicted felons in the state of Iowa, with Crawford having a record of theft, drug and weapon violations and assault with use or display of a weapon.
After being seen by Guthrie County magistrate Sunday, Cannon was released on his own recognizance, while Crawford is being held in the Guthrie County jail.
Raccoon Valley Radio will continue to bring you more information as it becomes official. We’ll have more with Sheriff Arganbright on today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on K107.