A Covington man first refused to pull over for a traffic stop and then refused to identify himself before being arrested by Madison police officers on multiple charges on March 29.
Joseph Conrad Christian, 34, faces charges on two counts of disorderly conduct, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, improper U-turn, and driving while his license was suspended. He was also wanted on a sexual battery warrant out of Walton County.
According to reports, Officer Justin Ives attempted to stop Christian for a minor traffic violation he allegedly committed at the intersection of Washington and South Main streets, but Christian switched on his hazard lights and continued to travel west on Wellington Street.
Ives radioed for assistance, and Christian made a U-turn just past March Street and came to a sudden stop when Ives made a U-turn as well.
When Ives asked Christian why he did not stop when Ives had his emergency lights and siren engaged. Christian said he was not required to stop because he had his emergency flashers on.
Christian was instructed to stand by the front of Ives’ patrol unit, but he did not comply. When Sgt. Stacey Eaton arrived, he put Christian in handcuffs and placed him in Ives’ patrol unit.
According to Eaton’s account, Christian tensed up his arm and became angry after being cuffed and resisted being placed in the vehicle.
Christian refused to identify himself and told the officers, “It’s none of your business.”
At the jail, Christian refused to get out of the vehicle when Eaton asked him, but Sgt. Blake Rowe and Officer Charles Coats were able to pull him out and escort him to a jail cell.
When Christian was placed in the cell and Eaton placed him against the wall to take off his cuffs, Christian turned and hit him in the arm.
According to the report, Ives rushed into the cell and put Christian on the ground.