A Mayfield, Ky., man forced his way past a deputy sheriff working the northside entrance of the Graves County Courthouse around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release.
Due to the COVID restrictions, and orders from the Administrative Office of the Courts, deputy sheriff’s are required to man the entrances into the courthouse.
The release said the man was identified as being 29 year old William Cody Rodgers, who approached Deputy Sheriff Mike Riley and forcibly without provocation, pushed his way past the deputy and began running down a hallway, and into the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office screaming.
Other sheriff’s deputies including Dep. Larry Jones, Russ Cotter, and D. Ramage, attempted to gain control of the suspect who repeatedly resisted. Office personnel within the Circuit Court Clerks Office hid and/or evacuated the area. Damage to that office was caused by the suspect kicking a hole in a wall.
Two deputy sheriff’s received minor injuries during the struggle to gain control of the suspect, who appeared to be manifestly under the influence of drugs. A taser deployment had no effect on the suspect.
Once arriving at the Graves County Jail, the suspect again began fighting with deputy sheriffs and jailers, causing minor injuries to a deputy jailer.
Deputies, while at the jail recovered three clear plastic baggies containing approximately 23 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
It remains unclear as to the reason for the man coming to the courthouse this date, the release said.
The release said Rodgers is facing the following charges public intoxication, resisting arrest, assault 3rd, promoting contraband, and trafficking in methamphetamine.