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Resident Gets Gun, Threatens 2 Deputies, Report Says

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By LISA A. DAVIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

HUDSON - When two deputies went to investigate a report of a burglary in progress Monday night, they soon were threatened with a gun by a man who claimed he owned the home, according to Pasco County Sheriff's Office reports.

Sgt. Bennie Barrington and Cpl. Jesse Coker arrived at the Beacon Woods home at 8706 Village Mill Row at 10:30 p.m. Barrington went to the front door and Coker went to the back, where he discovered six of the back door's glass panes broken, a report states. Then he noticed a pair of shorts lying on the porch and he looked inside, spotting a man sitting on the couch wearing only a blue tank top.

Barrington knocked at the front door and awoke the man sleeping on the couch and Coker yelled, "sheriff's office," and the man went to the back door, according to a report. The corporal told the man he was investigating a possible burglary.

"Well, I didn't call you, so you can leave," the man, identified later as Steven C. Smith, said.

Coker told him he wasn't leaving and asked his name.

"Steven and I own this house, so you can leave."

Coker and Barrington repeatedly asked the man for identification proving he lived at the home, but he started walking away, and the deputies went inside, according to the report.

"I didn't tell you, you could come inside my house," Smith snapped.

Coker explained that because he was investigating the possibility of a crime he was within his rights to enter. Smith kept walking, and the deputies followed as he continued yelling at them to leave.

"I've got a shotgun; don't make me use it," he screamed, the report states.

He continued into a bedroom and grabbed a .22-caliber handgun, according to reports, and started to raise it slightly toward the deputies.

Coker ordered Smith to put down the gun. He turned and started toward Barrington, according to the report, and the sergeant pushed him and stunned him with a stun gun then placed him in handcuffs. Barrington found the man's driver's license, which verified he lived at the home, so the burglary call was unfounded.

Smith, 52, was arrested on two charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He was released from the Land O' Lakes Jail on Tuesday after posting $20,000 bail.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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