WHITE CO., Ill. - An attempt to serve a misdemeanor warrant Friday on a Maunie resident turned into a spectacle of crazed behavior that might've warranted using a TASER, but White County officers showed restraint and brought the nutty guy in without further incident.
The situation emerged from a routine patrol being conducted by Deputy Randy Graves, who on Friday morning (November 30) at approximately 11:12 a.m., was cruising through the community of Maunie. Graves said he located Shane Williford, 45 of Maunie, who was wanted on a 2018 White County misdemeanor warrant for Violating an Order of Protection.
Graves said Williford was outside the rear of his residence near his vehicle, with his toddler son (approximately age 4) on one side of the vehicle, and Williford crouched down on the opposite side in an attempt to hide from Graves as he drove by in his squad.
Graves said he exited the squad car and advised Williford he was under arrest for the outstanding warrant...whereupon Williford ran from Graves headed east into a wooded area, and leaving the little boy without any supervision as he ran to escape Graves.
However, shortly after running into the woods, Williford returned as Graves was talking to the little boy.
When Williford returned, Graves noted in his report, he was "out of control, cursing, and not responding to any of my orders I was giving him.
"I advised Williford again he was under arrest for a White County warrant," Graves said. "Williford advised me a few times he was going to kick my ass."
At that point, Graves said, he took his TASER from its holster and advised Williford that he would be TASEd if he further threatened the deputy with violence. Graves ordered Williford to the ground multiple times, but Williford refused to comply.
"At times," Graves said, "Williford would walk away from me telling me 'F^*k you.' Williford did place his hands behind his back for a moment, then he would start cursing me again.
"At one point, Williford did get onto the ground for a few seconds," Graves reported. "While on the ground, Williford flopped around on the ground like a fish out of water. Williford then stood up and said 'F^*k you I'm not getting on the ground."
While Graves was trying to arrest Williford, Williford's girlfriend, Amanda Nalley, told him multiple times to lay on the ground and listen to the deputy, Graves reported. At one point, Graves said, Williford and Nalley got into an argument because she was telling him to obey Graves' commands.
"Williford while walking around lunged toward me as if he was going to try and run into me," Graves reported.
Sheriff Doug Maier arrived on scene to assist with Williford's arrest, and at the point, Williford was taken into custody without physical contact between him and the officers, Graves reported.
Formally, Williford is charged with Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, and felony Aggravated Assault under the current incident. A bond hearing was held on Monday (December 3) and Williford was ordered detained with a preliminary bond set at $15,000 cash, likely based on his erratic behavior and aggressiveness in front of Graves. Williford, a repeat offender in White, is set for a prelim on Dec. 17.