Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that on Tuesday, June 14 at approximately 8:48 a.m., Deputy Holbrook, while on routine patrol, observed a vehicle on SR 53 South committing several traffic infractions and the driver not wearing their seatbelt. Deputy Holbrook initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle eventually stopped on Midway Church road.
Deputy Holbrook approached the passenger side of the vehicle and ordered for the driver to roll down the passenger side window. The driver, identified as Ray Anderson, appeared confused and took several minutes to comply and roll the window down. After rolling down the window, Deputy Holbrook began explaining the purpose for the traffic stop with no response from Anderson. While Deputy Holbrook was explaining the purpose for the stop, he further observed Anderson place his hand on the gearshift as if he was contemplating driving off. A passenger in the back seat, identified as Dylan Herring, reached to the front of vehicle and took the keys out of the ignition and provided them to Deputy Holbrook. Deputy Holbrook ordered Anderson to exit the vehicle several times but Anderson refused. Deputy Holbrook requested assistance from Corporal O’Brian.
Deputy Holbrook went to the driver side of the vehicle and opened the door for Anderson in an attempt for Anderson to voluntarily exit the vehicle. The passenger voluntarily exited the vehicle and was ordered to stand in front of the vehicle. Anderson continued to refuse to exit the vehicle and began reaching under the driver’s seat at which point Deputy Holbrook grabbed Anderson’s wrist and again ordered him the exit the vehicle. Anderson began stating that he was going to clean out his car before exiting and suddenly began pulling and snatching away from the grips of Deputy Holbrook. Deputy Holbrook then grabbed Anderson behind his right shoulder area to remove Anderson from the vehicle. Anderson grabbed Deputy Holbrook by the leg causing him to lose his balance as the passenger, Herring, began to confront Deputy Holbrook yelling at him to let Anderson go. Deputy Holbrook, while struggling with Anderson, ordered Herring to get back and stay at the front of the vehicle.
Deputy Holbrook and Anderson continued to struggle until Deputy Holbrook fell to the ground with Anderson. Deputy Holbrook quickly rolled away from Anderson as Anderson was quickly getting up. Deputy Holbrook drew his less lethal taser and deployed it to the torso area of Anderson causing him to fall to the ground a second time. Herring again began approaching Deputy Holbrook shouting that he was going to “whip his ass.” Deputy Holbrook having one hand with taser was forced to draw his firearm with his other hand and at gun point order Herring to the ground. Herring, after several orders eventually complied and got on the ground. Simultaneously, as Deputy Holbrook was occupied with Herring, Anderson was removing the taser leads from his torso causing Deputy Holbrook to remove his cartridge and “drive-stun” Anderson on his shoulder area to gain compliance. Herring again tried to approach Deputy Holbrook as he dealt with Anderson and reluctantly complied with orders to get back again. Anderson eventually stated that he was done and complied as Deputy Holbrook managed to get wrist restraints on Anderson while maintaining a visual on Herring.
Deputy Goldman was the first assisting officer to arrive on scene and Deputy Holbrook began escorting Anderson to the patrol unit. Deputy Holbrook informed Deputy Goldman to detain Herring in the back of his patrol unit for further investigation. Deputy Goldman approached Herring and Herring immediately pushed off
of Deputy Goldman nearly causing Deputy Goldman to fall. Herring began walking away while Deputy Goldman ordered him to stop. Herring continued to refuse to comply and Deputy Goldman deployed his less lethal Taser causing Herring to fall to the ground. Corporal O’Brian arrived on scene and assisted Deputy Goldman with Herring taking him into custody.
An inventory of the vehicle recovered an opened empty alcoholic beverage container on the passenger seat and a person’s search of Herring located a marijuana-smoking pipe with residual amounts of marijuana. Both subjects were transported to the Madison County Jail without further incident. The commendable actions and demeanor of Deputy Holbrook and Deputy Goldman during the volatile situation was captured on the Sheriff’s Office assigned body worn camera’s and cannot be made public or released pending case dispositions.
Arrested and Charged:
1. Ray Anderson, W/M, DOB: 11/20/1970 of Lee Florida
Charged: 1. Battery on Law Enforcement Officer
2. Assault on Law Enforcement Officer
2. Dylan Joseph Herring, W/M, DOB: 03/04/2000 of Lee Florida
Charged: 1. Battery on Law Enforcement Officer
2. Other charges pending