Domestic leads to drug arrest

Published 9:28 am Monday, April 26, 2021

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Decatur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic on Sunday, April 18, at the Palmer Motel that resulted in the arrest of Arthur Royal.

According to reports, Deputy Vontrail Smith, Sgt. Chris Jackson and Deputy Jordan Phillips arrived the motel, where they saw a man, later identified as Royal trying to leave the scene.

Smith and Jackson asked Royal to have a seat until they could conduct their investigation.

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Royal began to try and run away from the scene, however the deputies were able to restrain him before he could continue running. Royal refused to be restrained and a struggle ensued.

While Smith and Jackson attempted to restrain Royal, Phillips made contact with the victim.

The victim informed Phillips that Royal had pointed a handgun at her and grabbed her, before pushing her up against the wall and throwing an open can of beer at her.

The victim then showed Phillips welts on her arm from the altercation.

Phillips asked the victim if she knew where Royal’s gun was now and she pointed him toward a satchel bag in the hotel room.

Phillips then left the room to speak with Royal and saw the struggle occurring. Both deputies were on the ground, while Royal refused to put his hands behind his back. Royal even attempted to stand up after deputies commanded him to stay on the ground and put his hands behind his back.

Finally, with Phillips’ help, the deputies were able to position Royal’s right arm and hand behind his back. Jackson then placed Royal’s right hand in handcuffs.

Even with one hand in cuffs, Royal pulled his right arm back away from deputies and began tucking his hand toward his waist.

Due to the danger of something being in Royal’s waistband and his non-compliance, Phillips advised Royal if he did not put his hand behind his back and move it away from his waistband, he would be tased.

Phillips told Royal this several times and still after no compliance, Phillips tased Royal.

Royal then tried to grab Phillips taser in an attempt to remove it.

After tasing Royal, Phillips again commanded him to put his hands behind his back and Royal still refused.

Phillips warned Royal he would tase him again and Royal was unfazed.

After a second 5-second cycle, Royal finally placed his hands behind his back and was handcuffed before he was placed in Smith’s patrol car.

Once securing Royal, Phillips returned to the hotel room and located the satchel the victim had told him about.

Inside, Phillips located a Hi-Point .380 caliber handgun, an empty handgun magazine and a loaded handgun magazine. In addition, he found a digital scale and a rock like substance believed to be crack cocaine.

Royal was charged with one count of possession of firearm/knife while trying to commit crimes, one count battery, one count of obstructing an officer, one count of possession of a firearm by convicted felon and one count of illegal possession of a controlled substance.

Royal was taken by EMS to be examined by medical personnel and following his release was transported to the Decatur County Jail.