A Varnell, Ga., city councilman resigned Wednesday after his arrest for allegedly threatening the local police chief.
The chief, meanwhile, is on administrative leave because the council wants the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to look into how he handled the arrest of the elected official, Sheldon Ray Fowler.
The controversy began on June 13. According to a post on the Varnell Police Department’s Facebook page, Fowler’s wife called 911 around noon that day to report he was “drunk and half-naked” and bothering their daughter. Chief Lyle Grant said Fowler mixed Ambien with some alcohol his wife had supposedly given him.
Grant said he found Fowler in his underwear and a nurse smock, ranting about rumors he heard around town. Grant said Fowler’s wife did not complain that he attacked her or threatened to hurt her; she just wanted the police to calm him down and help him go to sleep. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the councilman poked Grant and Lt. Greg Fowler – who is not related to him – in the chest.
The officers did not arrest him that day. But on June 22, Grant took out a warrant, claiming Sheldon Fowler committed simple battery on a peace officer, simple assault and disorderly conduct. The councilman turned himself in to the Whitfield County Jail on Tuesday and bonded out about two hours later.