It was a routine call for Deputy T. Sasser on July 14th, 2024. A report of a stolen green ATV led the officer to a white male suspect in his 30s to 40s, later identified as James Carroll. Things got interesting when Sasser spotted Carroll walking away from a green ATV with camo covering its back window.
When questioned, Carroll claimed he had just bought the ATV two weeks prior. However, his jittery demeanor set off alarms for Sasser. Asked for a quick pat-down, Carroll took off, jumping a fence and bolting into the woods. A man-made trail provided his escape route, but not for long.
Sasser gave chase, with Carroll trying to ditch items from his pockets along the way. The thrilling pursuit ended with Sasser deploying his Taser, bringing Carroll down with a zap to the right foot and shoulder blade. The catch of the day was now in handcuffs.
Carroll, it turns out, wasn’t just trying to avoid trouble for his suspended license. A pat-down revealed a baggie with a green leafy substance and broken glass from a meth pipe. Carroll admitted there might be meth in his pocket, though he assured Sasser there were no needles because he only smoked his meth.
A further search of the trail yielded two glass meth pipes, one broken to match the pieces in Carroll’s pocket. The green leafy substance tested positive for THC, and the pipes for methamphetamine.
In a twist, the ATV wasn’t stolen after all. But Carroll’s collection of drug-related charges, including resisting an officer without violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and marijuana possession (under 20 grams), were enough to earn him a ride to the Marion County Jail.
All in a day’s work for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, where a routine theft call turned into a footrace through the woods and another suspect’s high hopes dashed by the long arm of the law.
