Name:
Trutt, Joseph M
Date of Booking:
07/17/2022
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE – FELONY
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the officer’s narrative report. We do not fix any spelling or grammatical errors. Any changes made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist.]
On July 17th, 2022 at 0129, I was dispatched to Kia dealership located at 6150 Altama Ave, Brunswick, GA 31525 to meet with a caller for a standby.
When I arrived, I met with a Ms. [VICTIM #1] and Mr. [VICTIM #2]. I was advised by both Mr. [VICTIM #2] and Ms. [VICTIM #1]. that they needed my presence in assisting Ms. [VICTIM #1] in getting the rest of her items along with her baby clothes out of the house. She informed me that the offender identified as Joseph Trutt has been threatening her stated that he was going to kill her.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised me that she then fled from [300 BLOCK] Knox Drive and got a room at the Royal Inn. She then advised me that Mr. Trutt has been sending her threatening messages and when she would block that number, Mr. Trutt will find another number to text her from. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she does not know how Mr. Trutt found her at Royal Inn but has camera footage of him flattening her tires on her vehicle.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] informed me that she has went to magistrate court to start the process of aggravated stalking and damage to her vehicle. She advised me that Mr. Trutt [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and that he hasn’t been to sleep from what she knows for about three days. I asked Ms. [VICTIM #1] how long has she been staying at that residence and she informed me for about two years.
I then arrived at [300 BLOCK] Knox Drive and I, along with Ms. [VICTIM #1] and Mr. [VICTIM #2] started making our way to the garage area. Mr. [VICTIM #2] asked me “what would you like for me to do?” I advised Mr. [VICTIM #2] to just stand outside while I make contact with Mr. Trutt so Ms. [VICTIM #1] can get her items. I then asked Ms. [VICTIM #1] where is he?. Mr. [VICTIM #2] informs me that he (Trutt) is right there sitting in his car.
I then proceeded to turn around to get visual confirmation of Mr. Trutt, while doing so, I heard a sound of a bullet being chambered into a firearm and when I turned around I saw a glimpse of a muzzle pointed at me then saw the muzzle go down. When I saw that muzzle pointed at me at that time, I was in fear for my life. I was in fear of my life along with Mr. [VICTIM #2] and Ms. [VICTIM #1].
While in a illuminated area in my department issued gear labeled POLICE in the front and back, I un holstered my department issued firearm and instructed Mr. Trutt to put down the gun. Mr. Trutt refused and stated that he was not going to put his gun down until I take the light out of his eye. Fear was going through my mind that I was about to get shot or worse case scenario that I would have to use deadly force.
I immediately informed dispatch that I had a individual at gun point and asked for back up. I instructed several times for Mr. Trutt to put the gun down. Mr. Trutt informed me that I was trespassing and that I did not have a right to be here. I informed him that I have a legal right to be here and he needs to put the gun down.
Seconds went by that seemed like hours and Mr. Trutt placed the gun in his lap. I then instructed Mr. Trutt to place both of his hands on the roof of the car. Mr. Trutt refused and stated that he was trying to get something off his hands. I told Mr. Trutt that if he does not comply and if he reached for his gun, that I will shoot him.
Officer Ed. Hall arrived on scene and I informed him that he has a gun. Officer Ed. Hall gave commands to Mr. Trutt to reach outside the window because the window was rolled down and open the door. When Mr. Trutt opened the door, officer Ed. Hall stated that he has eyes on the gun. I advised Mr. Trutt not to move and officer Ed. Hall retrieved the weapon. Mr. Trutt then exited the vehicle and was apprehended. Those handcuffs where then double locked.
The firearm was then collected and inspected. The firearm that Mr. Trutt had in his possession was a ghost gun. A ghost gun is an unregulated firearms that anyone including minors and prohibited purchasers can buy and build without a background check.
Ghost guns are un serialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. The firearm along with the chambered bullet, the magazine, and the bullets that were in the magazine have been turned into evidence.
I then made my way to talk to Mr. [VICTIM #2] and Ms. [VICTIM #1] and advised her that she may enter her home and retrieve all of her items. I informed Ms. [VICTIM #1] that she can get a copy of this report to add with her proceedings that she already had against Mr. Trutt.
Officer Ed. Hall transported Mr. Trutt to the Glynn County Detention Center where he was book for aggravated assault agaisnt a law enforcement officer, obstruction, and possession of a firearm to commit a crime and that crime was either harming myself, Mr. [VICTIM #2], or Ms. [VICTIM #1].
[End of Narrative]