A former East Ridge High School student arrested after an altercation with a school officer in 2022 pleaded not guilty at a hearing Friday.
Tauris Sledge, 19, was indicted on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in November. A grand jury decided to drop one charge of assault initially filed against him.
Sledge was arrested during a gym class at the high school in September 2022 after an altercation with School Resource Officer Tyler McRae.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County Schools reviewing body cam footage of East Ridge student arrest)
According to reports, McRae went to the gym after a teacher reported Sledge was refusing to participate in class activities. Sledge argued with the teacher and administrators, and McRae asked Sledge to stand up and tried to handcuff him.
When Sledge refused, McRae pulled him to the ground by his dreadlocks, grabbed his backpack and used pepper spray around his face, according to police. McRae told Sledge not to resist as he pulled him down, a video released by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office shows.
"Y'all see what he's doing? I'm not resisting," Sledge said, according to the video.
Sledge was arrested and taken first to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center, then transferred to the jail after Sledge informed McRae he was 18, McRae testified last year.
Sledge was the third student maced by McRae in a little more than a month of working at East Ridge High School, McRae testified.
McRae was transferred back to patrol duties after the incident, according to the Sheriff's Office.
(READ MORE: Students walk out of East Ridge High School over arrest video)
The incident prompted around 200 East Ridge High School students to walk out of class later that week. Students gathered with signs on the school's football field for speeches and chants.
Sledge and his attorney, Chrissy Mincy, declined to comment following Friday's hearing. He is set to appear in court March 13.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.