Last week, a 911 call resulted in the arrest of the current Avery-Pickett Volunteer Fire Department chief.
Police arrested John Shelton after a disturbance call Wednesday, Feb. 9.
According to Taylor police reports, just after 7 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Park Street for a disturbance in progress with an open 911 line.
“They called 911, and the line was still open as officers were responding,” said Taylor Police Commander Joseph Branson.
When police arrived, they arrested Shelton and charged him with unlawful restraint and interference with emergency communication.
Police believe Shelton allegedly pushed a woman into a room and refused to let her leave. He allegedly grabbed her phone when she called police for assistance. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim’s phone in Shelton’s pocket.
The arrest was made without incident, and Shelton cooperated with officers.
Shelton, the Avery-Pickett Volunteer Fire Department chief, said the current situation involves allegations, not a conviction.
“Allegations are the assumption that you might have done something wrong,” Shelton said. “Convictions are the court-appointed decision that you have done something wrong, and that’s not where we’re at.”
He said this incident should not be associated with the Avery-Pickett Volunteer Fire Department, nor take away from the strides the department has made in recent months.
“John Shelton the fireman and John Shelton the man are two different people,” he said. “The things that we’ve done and accomplished at the fire department should have no relevance compared to my personal life.”
Shelton posted bond for a total of $5,000 and was released Feb. 10.
