MITCHELL — A Mitchell man was arrested Wednesday after police say he violated a protective order issued in another state.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Mitchell Police Officer Cody Blackwell, Randall Epperson, 65, was arrested on a preliminary charge of invasion of privacy, a Class A misdemeanor.
Blackwell reported he was dispatched at about 6:46 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a reported protective order violation. According to the affidavit, the protected party provided police with text messages allegedly sent by Epperson, along with photos of the protective order.
The affidavit states that the protected party also reported that Epperson had contacted another family member. Police said that the individual provided officers with additional text messages allegedly sent by Epperson.
After consulting with the on-call prosecutor about enforcing an out-of-state protective order, Blackwell attempted to locate Epperson at his residence in the 300 block of West Vine Street in Mitchell, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states that officers later located a vehicle believed to belong to Epperson at the residence. Officers attempted to make contact, but Epperson did not initially answer the door.
Blackwell reported that officers established a perimeter before preparing a search warrant due to information indicating Epperson was considered armed and dangerous in law enforcement databases.
According to the affidavit, Blackwell contacted a phone number associated with the alleged messages, and Epperson initially denied being at the residence before acknowledging he was there. Police said Epperson then exited the home and was taken into custody.
The affidavit states that while speaking with officers, Epperson repeated a message that had allegedly been sent to the protected party. Police said that after being read his Miranda rights while being transported to the Lawrence County Jail, Epperson stated he sent the messages on the advice of his religious counselor.
Epperson was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on the preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
