Troy man faces slew of charges after allegedly brandishing firearm

A Troy man pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges stemming from an incident where he allegedly flashed a gun after being asked to leave his former girlfriend’s home in October.

Johnny D. Sterling, 61, faces a single felony charge of assault with a weapon in Lincoln County District Court and misdemeanor charges of carrying a concealed weapon, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, open container violation and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned Nov. 2.

Troy police officers arrested Sterling on Oct. 18. Officer Michael Miller recounted, in an affidavit, responding to a local home for a report of a man refusing to leave the property about 9:09 p.m. After arriving, he learned from the victim that she and Sterling once dated and that the latter “has been obsessive with her.”

She told Miller that “he has told her that he would slit her throat,” court documents said. When he allegedly appeared that night — arriving uninvited, sitting outside her home and playing music loudly — she asked her daughter to send him off.

The daughter did as asked, but when she threatened to call the authorities, Sterling allegedly pulled out a handgun and began waving it around. Sterling allegedly asked the woman, “Want to see what this can do?”

The victim also said she suspected Sterling was intoxicated and told Miller she was afraid for her safety and the safety of her family.

While walking back to his patrol car to request backup, Miller recounted spotted movement in a nearby pickup truck. Approaching, Miller said he saw Sterling inside the cab. He knocked several times and announced his presence, but Sterling did not respond.

In the affidavit, Miller wrote that he waited until backup, in the form of Troy Police Chief Katie Davis and Sgt. Henry Roy, arrived before taking any other steps.

The trio returned to the pickup, with Miller asking Sterling to show his hands. Sterling allegedly refused.

Davis pointed out that Sterling, who lacked a concealed carry permit, was still armed, court documents said. Roy drew his service pistol and Miller pulled out his Taser. Sterling put his hands on the dashboard, but denied packing a firearm, according to the affidavit.

When Davis pointed it out, wedged in his waistband, Sterling allegedly reached down with his right hand. Roy grabbed his arm while Miller pulled the gun free and recovered a knife, court documents said.

Miller wrote that he tried to question Sterling, but the other man refused to cooperate. Miller noted that Sterling’s speech was slurred as he talked. At some point, Miller noticed a drink in a plastic cup inside the pickup, court documents said.

Meanwhile, Davis noted that the handgun was loaded, court documents said.

Authorities took Sterling to the Lincoln County Detention Center, where they found a pipe with a strong odor of marijuana during a search, court documents said. Sterling refused to provide a breath sample, court document said.

Authorities initially arrested Sterling on charges of resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, carry a concealed weapon while under the influence, partner or family member assault, first offense and driving under the influence along with several of the aforementioned charges. He initially was held on a $75,000 bond.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25 with a pretrial conference set for March 1. Were the case to go to trial, it would begin April 12.