Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Suspect threatens officer, lands in jail

An arrest lead to terrorist threats against a Prescott Police officer.

John Cole, 39, of Prescott has been charges with one Class D Felony and six misdemeanors after running a stop sign and threatening Prescott Police.

Officer Danny Martin observed Cole's vehicle failing to stop at a stop sign on the corner of Moncreif and Greenlawn. Martin followed the vehicle until he stopped at a residence on B Street.

As Martin approached the vehicle he noticed Cole was holding an open container containing alcohol. Martin asked Cole to step out of the car, while doing so Cole fell to the ground.

Martin assisted Cole to his feet and requested his drivers license. After reviewing the license in a computer search it was discovered the license was suspended for an active warrant in Nevada County.

Cole was then given several field sobriety test which he failed, he was then given a portable breath analyzes test. Cole received a reading of .28. Under new laws, the legal limit for being considered drunk is 0.08.

Cole was then placed under arrest and transported to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office where Officer Scott Sundberg was requested to witness the reading of Cole's rights.

Cole was asked to take a Blood Alcohol Level test, he refused saying he did not want to hear his rights or take the test. Cole was then advised he would be taken to the booking are.

While being escorted Cole grabbed Martin's shirt, and Martin had to pry his hands from him. Cole then grabbed the wrist of Sundberg and would not let go. Sundberg freed his wrist and placed Cole in escort position.

Once in the booking area Cole was asked to remove items from his pocket. He grabbed the shirt of Martin once again, and it took both officers to remove him.

He then emptied his pocket revealing a glass tube with residue and rolling papers. He allegedly told the officers he smoked marijuana and cocaine, he then asked the officers what they planned to do about it?

Martin went to finish paperwork leaving off Sundberg with Cole.

Cole told Sundberg that he "Would not be locked up forever."

Sundberg asked Cole what he meant and Cole said he would kill him when he got out.

Sundberg advised Cole to be quiet and called Parole Officer Katheryn Leboureois to place Cole in a parole hold.

Cole was charged with terroristic threatening, assault in the third degree, drug paraphernalia, DWI, his 2nd offense, refusal to submit, driving with a suspended license and running a stop sign.

Terroristic Threatening is a Class D felony punishable by imprisonment for no more than 6 years and a fine not more than $10,000.