Donahee arrested for assaulting officer

A suspicious person complaint outside of a Williamsburg hotel late Thursday evening, lead to the arrest of a suspect, who was wanted by Michigan authorities for sexual assault, according to a Williamsburg Police Department release.

In addition, the suspect allegedly reached under the seat of his vehicle during the incident where police later found a handgun and a knife, and he had to be tasered by police four times, according to his arrest citation.

Williamsburg Police Officer Greg Rhoades arrested Bobby Joe Donahee, 49, of Jackson, Michigan, about 9:31 p.m. charging him with third-degree assault of a police officer, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, resisting arrest, first-degree disorderly conduct, menacing, possession of marijuana, and four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer.

The man had been sitting outside of the hotel for three hours when a suspicious person complaint was reported, according to an arrest citation.

“When officers arrived to investigate the complaint, they made contact with a male standing beside a red Chevy truck, near the front entrance of the hotel. The suspect disregarded officers instructions and jumped in his truck. The suspect refused to comply with officers and their commands. A struggle ensued and the suspect resisted arrest. The suspect was eventually taken into custody after officers had to use force to gain compliance,” according to the release.

“During the altercation, the suspect tried to retrieve a gun and a knife that was inside the vehicle. A .40 caliber Highpoint handgun and a knife was recovered at the scene and seized as evidence. A search of the vehicle also led to the discovery of suspected marijuana.”

According to his arrest citation, marijuana was allegedly located in multiple compartments of the 2003 red Chevrolet truck. A Kentucky fugitive warrant is pending in connection with the sexual assault case, according to the release.

Donahee was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Whitley District Judge Fred White entered a not guilty plea for Donahee during his arraignment Monday. White scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 23, appointed the public advocate’s office to represent Donahee, and set a $25,000 cash bond.

Rhoades was assisted at the scene by Chief Wayne Bird, Officer Jason Williams, Officer Eddie Cain, Officer Dorman Patrick Jr., and Whitley County EMS.