Suspect with Knife Claims Threats Before Apprehension

MADAM’S CREEK W.Va. (Hinton News) – According to a criminal complaint, on June 18 at approximately 3 a.m., an officer received a 911 call to the vicinity of Madam’s Creek regarding a suspicious person knocking on different doors and acting strangely. Before arriving, the officer observed a silver Ford Focus that was involved in a crash into a fence. The officer proceeded to look inside the vehicle but didn’t locate anyone inside.

The officer then proceeded down Madam’s Creek when a pedestrian waved him down. The pedestrian pointed to a neighbor’s porch on which the alleged offender was standing. According to the criminal complaint, the officer then made contact with James Sellards Jr. The officer reportedly observed Sellards holding a knife and a flashlight in his hand and acting very excited.

The officer ordered Sellards to drop the knife, come down off the porch, and Sellards did as he was told. The officer then began questioning Sellards as to his behavior and why he was at several residences causing a disturbance. Sellards allegedly proceeded to tell the officer that there were several people in his vehicle threatening him, which made him lose control of the vehicle, and that is why he crashed. He reportedly said the people began chasing him down the road, and that’s how he ended up at the residences acting the way he did.

The officer then asked Sellards if he was under the influence of any alcohol or drugs. Sellards reportedly replied that he had one beer approximately an hour before the crash. Sellards agreed to take the preliminary breath test, and the officer then instructed Sellards on how to do the test and demonstrated it as well. Sellards then did the test and blew .000. Sellards then advised the officer that he had taken methamphetamine three days prior.

The officer then placed Sellards under arrest and transported him to the Summers County Sheriff’s Department for processing and then to Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital for medical clearance. From there, the officer transported Sellards to Southern Regional Jail to await arraignment, according to the criminal complaint. 

The officer talked to the property owner where Sellards hit the fence with his car. The property owner advised he was not in the area and would not be for a couple more days, but would get with the officer to determine the total damage done. 

The officer noted that he never saw or heard any other subjects with Sellards in the area during the entire investigation.  

The officer took photos of the vehicle and fence property damage. 

All statements were taken on the officer’s body-worn camera.