A Saturday morning incident in Rome led to more than 20 criminal charges after police say a man threatened two people with a firearm following what started as playful wrestling.
What’s Happening: Authorities arrested Deavonti Daniel after responding to reports of an armed threat near the intersection of East 15th Street and Flannery Street. A woman told investigators she and Daniel were longtime acquaintances who began wrestling around before the situation escalated. She reported he became violent, damaging her jewelry and shoving her into a fence before displaying a weapon and making threats toward her and her boyfriend.
The Chase: Officers broadcast a vehicle description based on witness information. A Dodge Durango matching that description was spotted traveling at excessive speeds through the southern part of the city. The vehicle collided with something at the intersection of Porter Street and Wilson Avenue. Daniel fled on foot but officers captured him.
What Officers Found: Investigators recovered two handguns they believe Daniel discarded from his vehicle. They also seized suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and more than $10,000 in currency.
What It Means For You: Rome police took a convicted felon off the streets who was allegedly carrying guns, drugs and large amounts of cash.
The Charges: Daniel faces eight felony counts including being a felon in possession of firearms, having weapons during criminal activity, making terroristic threats, drug possession and distribution charges, and evidence tampering. He also received numerous traffic violations including impaired driving, reckless operation of a vehicle, fleeing police, and improper lane usage.
The Big Picture: No injuries occurred during the pursuit or arrest.
The Sources: Rome Police Department
⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
