GLOUCESTER, Va. — A Gloucester man is charged with multiple felonies after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop early Friday.
At 1:03 a.m. Friday, a Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a vehicle driving erratically in the 4200 block of George Washington Memorial Highway, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The deputy also noticed the driver was “manipulating a hand-held device while driving.”
The traffic stop turned into a DUI investigation, according to the report. The deputy found the driver’s license had been revoked related to DUI.
The report stated the driver refused to roll down his window or exit the vehicle. The deputy then attempted to remove him from the vehicle.
“During a struggle, the suspect brandished a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at the deputy,” the report stated. “The deputy maneuvered to cover and continued to give commands to the suspect at gunpoint.”
After the arrival of a second deputy, the driver surrendered the firearm but then resisted arrest, resulting in another struggle, the report stated. The suspect also threatened to kill the deputy once released from jail.
The firearm was found to be stolen from Portsmouth, the report stated.
No deputies were injured.
Joseph Solomon Devon Elam, 26, of Belroi Road, Gloucester, is charged with receipt of a stolen firearm, assault and battery of a police officer, brandishing a firearm, driving after forfeiture of license, drive while intoxicated, second offense in 5-10 years, drive while intoxicated refusal of test, failure to maintain lane, holding a cellphone while driving, reckless handling of a firearm and two counts of obstructing justice.
