SHAKOPEE, Minn. (WCCO) – A Georgia man whose name recalls a popular 1970s action movie hero was arrested after allegedly assaulting police officers while drunk at a sixth-grade choir concert.
The concert was being held at Shakopee Senior High School the evening of May 24.
Officers say that 34-year-old Billy Jack Melton, of Lakeland, Ga., was disrupting the concert and refusing to leave even when asked, then told by school officials.
While in the parking lot, Melton took off his shirt and challenged the school principal to a fight, the criminal complaint says, before apparently attempting to drive away from the school parking lot with a woman and a 5-year-old child in the vehicle.
Officers were on the scene when Melton got out of the vehicle and went to the passenger side, in what appeared to be an attempt to switch spots.
After noting alcohol on Melton’s breath, officers ordered Melton to leave the vehicle. He refused, the charges state. When an officer tried to physically remove him from the vehicle, Melton swung at the officer’s face with a closed fist.
Two other officers tried to assist the first officer to subdue Melton, who by this point was swinging his arms wildly, the complaint says. Melton pushed one officer back onto a nearby vehicle and threw another backwards.
While officers continued to try and place Melton under arrest, he made a grab for one of their guns, charges state. The officer was able to maintain control of his firearm and pistol-whipped Melton in the face.
By the time Melton had been put into handcuffs, all three officers had received scratches and bruises.
Melton refused breath, blood and urine tests.
He now faces six criminal counts, including disarming an officer, multiple counts of fourth-degree assault on an officer, and DWI charges.
According to the criminal complaint, Melton has been convicted in Georgia on controlled substance, property damage, and aggravated assault charges.
He is currently in custody.
The character “Billy Jack” was the central figure in a string of 1970′s movie hits starring Tom Laughlin.
