County man faces charges after altercation at restaurant

Published 6:10 am Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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A Stoney Creek man faces multiple charges following a weekend altercation at a local restaurant where police say he assaulted two individuals.
Officers of the Elizabethton Police Department arrested Derick Hughes, 36, of 192 Little Stoney Creek Road, Elizabethton, late Friday night and charged him with disorderly conduct, possession of a handgun while under the influence, resisting arrest and two counts of simple assault.
Around 10:15 Friday night, officers of the Elizabethton Police Department were dispatched to Applebee’s located on Overmountain Drive in reference to a report of an intoxicated and disorderly male subject at the restaurant.
“Upon arrival, I entered the restaurant and observed a male subject, Derick Hughes, yelling at other patrons,” EPD Cpl. Matthew Taylor said, adding he asked Hughes, who he said appeared to be “heavily intoxicated,” to exit the restaurant. “Hughes then began walking outside. He then turned and struck a male subject, Roger Lambert, in the face. At that point Lambert and I began to take Hughes to the ground. During the struggle a third male subject, Roger Bailey, began to assist taking Hughes into custody.”
Taylor said he repeatedly told Hughes to stop resisting and to place his hands behind his back but Hughes would not follow his instructions.
“During the struggle, Bailey yelled ‘gun.’ I then observed a Springfield Armory model 1911 in a holster on Hughes’ right side,” Taylor said. “I then removed the gun, dropped the magazine and ejected the round.”
Taylor said due to the circumstances he deployed his Taser and delivered a “five second stun” to Hughes’ back. Following the stun, Taylor said Hughes began to comply with instructions. Other officers then arrived on scene and Taylor said Hughes was placed into a police car.
“After Hughes was in custody I met with Lambert and Bailey to check their welfare,” Taylor said. “Bailey advised he was struck in the face by Hughes during the altercation. Additionally, Lambert had what appeared to be a bite mark on his arm.”
Hughes was taken to the Carter County Detention Center and booked into the jail. He was later released after posting a $1,500 bond.

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