New details have emerged following the arrest of Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Petiote in Effingham County.
Petiote was booked into the Effingham County Jail on Friday on four charges: misdemeanor violation of Georgia’s move-over law, failure to sign his ticket, misdemeanor obstruction of justice, and felony obstruction. He was released on Saturday on a $1,300 bond.
Bodycam footage shows Deputy Petiote drawing his gun after being pulled over, leading to his arrest. An incident report from the Rincon Police Department, obtained by WJCL on Monday, details the events that led to Petiote’s arrest.
According to the report, Petiote was pulled over for not changing lanes while passing a traffic stop. The incident occurred on Friday, shortly before 10:30 p.m.
The report states that Petiote, while still wearing his CCSO uniform, passed several well-lit areas before eventually stopping for Officer Ian Gallagher on E 4th Street.
After being informed of the reason for the stop, Petiote identified himself as a sergeant and questioned the validity of the stop, stating, “I was in my lane, you were in your lane so what’s the problem?”
The report indicates that Petiote argued he had not broken any law and accused Officer Gallagher of lying.
“Based on the totality of the circumstances, I decided the best course of action was to cite Mr. Petiote for the violation, giving him an opportunity to argue his point in front of a judge,” read Gallagher’s report.
Petiote reportedly snatched the citation from Gallagher’s hands, refused to sign it, and walked back to his vehicle.
Gallagher informed Petiote several times that not signing the citation was an arrestable offense, but Petiote insisted that he was wrong.
As the officers attempted to handcuff Petiote, Gallagher’s report states, “Mr. Petiote then bladed his body and took up an offensive position while reaching with his right hand and grabbing his holstered weapon as if to draw it. At this time, I believed that Mr. Petiote had intentions to take my life if I attempted to place him into custody. While doing this, Mr. Petiote was stating, ‘you cannot take me to jail’ and ‘you will not take me to jail.'”
The report says Petiote eventually released his firearm and was taken into custody after multiple units arrived at the scene.
“It was also noticed that Mr. Petiote was using his body-worn camera to record the interaction,” the report read. “…Also note that Mr. Petiote’s fiancée or wife had arrived on scene and began to verbally agitate the situation and used her mobile phone as a recording device.”
Chatham County Sheriff’s officials say Petiote has been placed on administrative leave pending a professional standards investigation.
On Monday, the Rincon Police Department issued the following statement:
“On Friday night at 11:23, a traffic infraction (40-6-16, Georgia Move Over Law) started a chain reaction of events that resulted in a Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputy being placed into custody and charged with misdemeanor and felony obstruction charges.
The Rincon City Manager and Police Chief have reviewed the camera footage and the incident report and firmly stand by their officers. We have been in constant communication and are fully cooperating with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office investigation as well. City Manager Jonathan Lynn stated, ‘Our officers showed restraint and patience during a very unfortunate situation.’
‘The traffic violation that initiated the stop is a very important law, and when people don’t obey it, lives are lost,’ said Chief Murrel.
The Georgia Move Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane when possible if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. If traffic is too heavy to move over safely, the law requires drivers to slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.”
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment on the case.
This person should have his law enforcement license pulled and all certifications cancelled. Law enforcement is not an option for this person, he is a liability to any organization.