Scuffle ensued after attempted arrest for jaywalking
An officer with the St. Johnsbury Police Department is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault arising from his use of force when attempting to arrest a man for jaywalking May 10, in St. Johnsbury, state police say.
According to evidence collected by the Vermont State Police, St. Johnsbury police Sgt. George Johnson lacked sufficient cause to stop 35-year-old John Stelzl at about 5:10 p.m. May 10 as he was walking near the Honking Bridge on Bay Street, and then subsequently employed excessive force during a physical altercation with Stelzl. Stelzl was taken to the hospital , treated for significant injuries, and later released.
Stelzl initially was charged with multiple violations arising from the incident, but the case was dismissed by the Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office following a review of Johnson’s body-worn camera footage. State’s Attorney Jessica Zaleski raised concerns about Johnson’s use of force with St. Johnsbury’s police chief, who referred the matter to the Vermont State Police for an independent, outside criminal investigation.
The Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office recused itself from this matter and requested that Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito review the case for possible criminal charges.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21 VSP issued Johnson issued a citation through his attorney. Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 9, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Johnsbury. Members of the media should call the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office to confirm details of the hearing.
No additional information is available at this time. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Johnson’s arraignment.
Questions about Johnson’s employment status should be directed to the St. Johnsbury Police Department.
Johnson is a popular police officer known for his witty, well-written police reports. He also has served overseas with the Vermont Army National Guard.
As reported by VDC, Johnson reported that Stelzl resisted arrest Friday, May 10, gouged Johnson in the eye, tased him with Johnson’s taser, and was seeking to get his gun out of his holster when another cop helped Johnson subdue him. Johnson wrote in his report:
“Stelzl has a lengthy criminal record (50 pages long) to include 6 felony convictions and 30 misdemeanor convictions. These past convictions include drug crimes and violent crimes such as felony battery on officers and others. St. Johnsbury police have received past complaints about drug activity in this area.
“I drove into the parking area of the pavilion and Stelzl immediately left walking north. When I went north the male then changed directions, heading south. Stelzl then jaywalked in front of me. I informed Stelzl that he had committed the offense of Jaywalking and asked for his name. “Stelzl lied, stating his name was Taylor Hay. I exited my cruiser and Stelzl took off running. I caught up to him and grabbed him and informed him that he was being detained.
“Stelzl then fought. While fighting Stelzl, was informed that he was now under arrest. Stelzl was pepper sprayed, which he then wiped off and with the same hand gouged me in the eye.
“While fighting with Stelzl a crack pip fell out of his pocket. After numerous commands to stop fighting Stelzl was tased. Stelzl then ripped the taser from my hand, turned, it fired. The taser probes struck me in the leg causing my leg to go numb and me to fall.
“Stelzl continued to fight. Ofc. McKendrick Johnson arrived on scene. He later informed me that when he had arrived he observed Stelzl attempting to wrench my gun from my holster. Johnson assisted me in taking Stelzl into custody and Stelzl continued to fight but was eventually overpowered.”