LaFollette councilman faces charges after holding suspect at gunpoint

LaFollette councilman faces charges after holding suspect at gunpoint

November 23, 2006

By SONU WASU
6 News Reporter

LaFOLLETTE (WATE) -- A newly-elected city councilman is now facing aggravated assault charges for holding a suspected thief at gunpoint.

Police arrested LaFollette Councilman Mike Stanfield on Tuesday after finding him at the home of an alleged thief, holding a gun to the suspects head.

Stanfield told 6 News it all started with the attempted theft of his 4x8-foot utility trailer.

Stanfield says he had gone to bed early on Tuesday night. His son Shaun was watching television when the dogs started barking.

Shaun says he saw someone trying to take trailer when he yelled out to his dad and ran out to stop the suspect.

The suspect, Kenny Shepard, had managed to drag the trailer about a half block down the road.

Councilman Stanfield says he grabbed his .38-caliber pistol as he ran out, even though he knew there were no bullets in it.

Stanfield says he saw his son flying through the air, then laying balled up on the ground. He says he thought the suspect had run over him while attempting to flee.

Stanfield says they recognized the suspect. He was an acquaintance of the family, so they both got into their vehicles and followed him to his home.

There, the councilman says he held his gun to Shepard's head while waiting for LaFollette police to arrive.

"I just stuck a pistol in his face and told him he wasn't going nowhere," Stanfield said. "Then the police officer come and took him by the hand and told me to put my pistol down."

Police arrested and charged Stanfield with aggravated assault because he was on someone else's property while hold that person at gunpoint. Stanfield says he was just protecting his property and family.

"I'm 55 years old," he said. "I've never been arrested in my life. Here you going to arrest me for protecting my son and my property, but if that's what you gotta do then do it."

Stanfield says he realizes LaFollette police were just doing their job and he holds no ill will. He's just grateful no one was hurt.

Shepard has been charged with theft over $500.