Man Arrested For Threatening A Deputy

Valley Springs, CA — This afternoon just after 4pm Calaveras Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home on the 700block of Quail Oaks Drive in Valley Springs.

They went there to do a welfare check on 59 year old Richard Pierce of Valley Springs. Sheriff’s Officials say Pierce was acting bizarrely and making threats towards his own safety.

They say while the deputy was speaking with him Pierce yelled that he was going to kill the deputy. Pierce then picked up a metal cane and came at the deputy like he was going to hit the deputy. Additional deputies were called to the scene.

Sheriff’s Officials say deputies ordered Pierce to drop the metal cane numerous times, but he refused. That’s when a deputy tasered Pierce. They say Pierce fell onto a recliner chair and struggled with deputies as they handcuffed him.

Pierce was arrested and taken to Mark Twain Hospital for medical clearance. He was released from the hospital and is now behind bars at the Calaveras County jail.

Pierce is charged with felony Threat of Injury Made to an Officer and Battery against a Peace Officer. He is also charged with misdemeanor Exhibiting a Deadly Weapon other than a firearm and Obstructing a Peace Officer.

It is unknown what brought about Suspect Pierce’s behavior.