NAME:
Chuter, Ronald James
DATE:
07/30/2025
CHARGES:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN- 3RD DEGREE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN- 3RD DEGREE
OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Tuesday, July 29th, I, Deputy First Class J. Ledford #544 of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to [300 BLOCK] White Oak Drive, in reference to a verbal domestic. I responded code 1 (non-emergency), along with Corporal Sawyer #546.
Upon our arrival, I made contact with the complainant (Identified as: [WITNESS #1]), as well as the victim (Identified as: [VICTIM #1]). I began speaking with Mr. [VICTIM #1], who advised that his grandfather “put his hands on him”, when I asked Mr. [VICTIM #1] to elaborate, he stated that his grandfather grabbed him right arm at the bicep. I then asked Mr. [VICTIM #1] if that was all that happened, and he stated that his grandfather also placed his hands around his neck. I asked Mr. [VICTIM #1] if I could observe his neck, and he obliged, as I observed his neck, I was able to see redness on both sides of the neck, and what appeared to be fingerprints.
I then asked Mr. [VICTIM #1] what caused the altercation, and he stated that his grandfather had been excessively drinking, and got upset and told Mr. [VICTIM #1] not to name his unborn child after him. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that his grandfather came out of his bedroom, and began yelling at him about the name of his unborn child and once Mr. [VICTIM #1] stood up, that is when his grandfather grabbed his arm, he stated that he advised his grandfather not to “put his hands on him”, or he would “put his hands on” his grandfather. He stated that this is when his grandfather grabbed him by the neck, and it cut his air way off.
I then asked Ms. [WITNESS #1] if she observed this, and nodded her head up and down to indicate that she did. I also asked Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s girlfriend if she observed the incident, and she stated that she did, as well as her two twin juveniles (Identified as: [JUVENILE #1], and [JUVENILE #2]), and Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s sister (Idenitfied as: [REDACTED]). I then asked where the grandfather was located, and they stated that he was located in the house.
I then asked all parties that were previously mentioned if they would complete written statements, and they all refused. I advised them all, that with or without the statement, I would still be placing the grandfather under arrest, due to the verbal statements, as well as the marks on Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s neck.
Myself and Coporal Sawyer began making our way to the residence, when I heard a male begin yelling at us. I responded “what was that sir?” due to not being able to hear what the male was saying. As I stepped closer to the male, I heard him advising us to get off his property, I advised the male (The grandfather, Identified as: Ronald Chuter) to turn around, and as I stepped closer to him, he reached out with his left arm, and grabbed the right side of my vest, and attempted to push me away from him. I then placed my right arm around the back of Mr. Chuter’s neck, and placed my right foot in front of his to escort him to the ground.
While doing this, he conitnued attempting to push me. Once Mr. Chuter was on the ground, he tucked his right arm up under his abdomen and was attempting to push himself up with it. I then placed my right knee onto Mr. Chuter’s right shoulder blade, which prevented him from pushing himself up. I assisted Cpl. Sawyer in bringing his left arm behind his back, and was able to secure it in my handcuffs, I then brought Mr. Chuter’s right arm behind his back and secured it as well, also checking for proper fit, and double locking.
I then began searching Mr. Chuter’s pockets, during this time, I heard him state “the gun is in my back pocket”, I felt of his back pockets, but there was no firearm, I then began looking on the ground, and located a black in color handgun up against my left leg. I immediately placed the gun out of reach of Mr. Chuter. Myself and Corporal Sawyer then escorted Mr. Chuter to my patrol unit (Unit #821), where I conducted a second search of his pockets, and located a single nine milimeter round.
Once the search was complete, I secured Mr. Chuter in the back, passenger seat of my patrol unit, and secured the seatbelt around his person. Mr. Chuter began stating that there was video footage of what happened on Ms. [WITNESS #1]’s cellular devce. I advised Mr. Chuter that I would ask Ms. [WITNESS #1] to see said footage, and closed the rear passenger door. I then walked back to where the gun was laying, along with Corporal Sawyer, Cpl. Sawyer then ejected approximately 11 rounds of ammunition from the firearm. The gun and ammunition, as well as two magaizines were secured in my patrol unit, to be placed into evidence for safe keeping.
I then asked Ms. [WITNESS #1] if she would be willing to let me see the video, and she stated she would not, but acknowledged that there was video footage. I then walked back to my patrol unit, and asked Mr. Chuter if he needed me to have Gilmer County Fire and EMS responde to check him, and he stated he did not. I then transported Mr. Chuter to the Gilmer County Adult Detention Center and turned him over to Detention Staff without incident.
I am charging Mr. Chuter with the following:
O.C.G.A. – Aggravated Assault – 16-5-21 – Due to him impeding Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s ability to breathe, by choking him.
O.C.G.A. – Obstruction (Felony)- 16-10-24 – Due to Mr. Chuter offering violence by grabbing my vest and attempting to push me away from him.
O.C.G.A. – Obstruction (Misdemeanor) – 16-10-24 – Due to Mr. Chuter resisting Corporal Sawyer in trying to handcuff his left arm.
O.C.G.A – Cruelty to Children (2 Counts) – 16-5-70 – Due to the physical altercation being witnessed by [JUVENILE #1] and [JUVENILE #2].
The firearm, as well as ammunition and both magazines were placed into evidence for safe keeping, along with property receipt # 20634.
Victim’s pamphlet as well as VINE pamphlet were provided to Mr. [VICTIM #1].
Photographs taken of Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s neck
[End of Narrative]
