Bevans

BUCKHANNON — An Upshur County man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly making threats against a police officer while under arrest.

Joseph Michael Bevans, 34, is charged with one count of retaliation against a public employee, a felony. He is also charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of obstructing law-enforcement, probation, parole, court security or corrections officer with threats of harm, both of which are misdemeanors.

Bevans is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $45,000 cash-only bond for the felony charge. He was also being held on a $1,800 personal recognizance bond, that has since been posted, for the misdemeanor charges.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Sergeant Tyler A. Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 22, Gordon observed Bevans standing in the roadway on Main Street in Buckhannon. When Gordon “ordered (Bevans) to get on the sidewalk,” Bevans allegedly began to do so before continuing to walk up the center of the roadway.

Gordon stopped to detain Bevans, who allegedly was “clearly intoxicated by alcohol, and erratic, consistent with methamphetamine use,” the complaint states.

As Gordon tried to calm Bevans down, Bevans allegedly cursed and screamed at the top of his lungs, and called Gordon vulgar names. When Gordon tried to get Bevans to allow officers to take him home, Bevans allegedly refused.

Gordon then placed Bevans under arrest; however, Bevans allegedly refused to enter the patrol vehicle, as well as refusing to sit on a bench at the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Bevans allegedly began making “direct threats” to inflict bodily harm to Gordon and Deputy Linger.

Bevans allegedly said, “My brother is going to come get you with a .45” and, “I know where you live.”

Gordon writes that Bevans allegedly said “many other things” and that it was all documented on his body camera.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Bevans on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Upshur County Magistrate Court.