Crime & Safety

Bartow Sheriff Says He'll Ask GBI To Conduct Independent Investigation of Emerson Arrest

Michael Ray West, 50, faces a number of theft charges in addition to a drug charge stemming from his Nov. 12 arrest by the Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force and U.S. Marshals.

Bartow County Sheriff Clark Millsap expects a formal complaint requesting an internal investigation into the arrest of an Emerson man shown in his mug shot bandaged, swollen and bruised.

But the county's top cop says he'll request the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an independent investigation of allegations his officers used excessive force. 

The daughter of Michael Ray West, 50, a Bartow resident and business owner who was arrested Nov. 12 by Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force agents and U.S. Marshals, has publicly said a surveillance video points to the officers' use of excessive force. Angela West says she wants answers after that video appears to show an officer stepping on her father's head after he was already on the ground.

Millsap said his department "in a long time" hasn't been the subject of any excessive-force complaint or "anything that would warrant any type of outside investigation," excluding officer-involved shootings. He said his policy is to call in the GBI for an external investigation when an officer shoots a suspect.

The arrest that resulted in injuries, apparently including bruising and swelling, to West's head and face was his third of the year in the same case, which is being investigated by the Emerson Police Department.

Emerson Police Chief Stan Bradley said his office has received 25 or more complaints against West, who operated a camper shell business at 686 Highway 293, where he also lived. Those complaints began as far back as February and the department received two more today.

So far, West has been charged with up to 14 total counts of theft by taking and theft by deception, eight or nine of which are felony, Bradley said. 

West, who advertised on Craigslist his business selling new and used campers shells and repairing camper shells, is accused of taking money from customers for work he did not complete and products he failed to provide.

"He was doing some work, but it was below standard. It wasn't just bad, but very, very bad," Bradley said. "Some work was not completed and we had cases where customers would call and he would not answer the phone or go to the business and he would not answer the door."

West first operated the business out of a home, a practice not allowed by city of Emerson ordinances. He was warned, but failed to comply with the local law, and was cited, after which he obtained his current property, but did not secure an occupational tax certificate, Bradley added.

The business was Trucks Covered, according to West's latest Bartow County jail arrest-booking report, which indicates he was housed in the medical unit.

"It's unfortunate because he had good business, had interest in it and the clientele. If he had done it the right way, it probably would have been a good business," Bradley said. "He would just not operate in an ethical manner and what he was doing was criminal. Basically, what he was doing was taking money from people."

West had clients from several areas of Georgia as well as interest in his business from states such as Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, Bradley said, adding the alleged swindle reached areas far from Emerson and Bartow County. The case is still under investigation.

Released from prison in 2004 after serving nearly two and a half years on a marijuana sales and distribution conviction in Douglas County, West also faces a new drug charge. Bradley said investigators found methamphetamine in the residential portion of his business after West's arrest.

He also faces charges lodged by the Fairburn Police Department and a probation violation stemming from his previous conviction.

Fairburn police public information officer Sgt. Anthony Bazydlo said his department has an active theft by deception warrant for West, stemming from an accusation he advertised and sold a product through Craigslist, but did not deliver it.

Meanwhile, Millsap said he's been in contact with Bartow County attorneys after speaking Monday to West's attorney, who may file the formal complaint accusing officers of using excessive force during the latest arrest or violating West's civil rights.

The sheriff added West's injuries occurred during his arrest, when he allegedly tried to take an officer's weapon, and other methods of subduing him were ineffective. 

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