A man reportedly became agitated during a recent child custody hearing in the Little River County Circuit Court in Ashdown, Ark., and had to be subdued by five law enforcement officers.
Davdrin Goffin, 33, of Ashdown, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for allegedly having an altercation with officers in the courtroom. He is scheduled to appear in the Little River County District Court July 13 in
Ashdown.
A special hearing was being conducted concerning child custody when he became irritated while listening to the testimony, officials said.
"He was being disrespectful in the courtroom, and the judge (9th Circuit Court Judge Tom Cooper) asked Goffin to leave," said Rhonda Green, jail administrator for the sheriff's department.
"He continued to be disruptive, and the judge said take him into custody. He said several vulgar words in the courtroom," said Green.
Green and Sgt. Kenneth Dixon were in the courtroom to provide
security.
The scuffle started near the attorney tables in front of the judge's bench and eventually moved to the audience section of the
courtroom.
Goffin reportedly "jerked away" from Dixon and Green was shoved against a
wall.
Little River County Circuit Court Clerk Andrea Billingsley, who was in the courtroom, called 911 and asked for officers to assist in subduing Goffin.
Chief Deputy Alex Mathis, Detective David Hall and Sheriff Gary Gregory joined in the scuffle to subdue Goffin.
The officers had to escort Goffin down two flights of stairs since the courthouse has no elevators.
Goffin was placed in jail. He has posted 10 percent of the $2,500 bond and has been released from jail, and he is scheduled to appear in the district court July 13 for a plea.
No one was seriously injured during the scuffle.