Eventful Night Leads To Two Arrests In Clay County

The early morning hours of 05/11/25 turned out to be an intense time for Clay County Sgt Kyle Lickteig and Officer Drew Judge while working the night shift on patrol.

At 12:53 AM Sgt Lickteig and Officer Judge responded to a call of a man having a woman pinned down on the floor and hitting her at the residence of 27 Rocking Chair Lane in Hayesville. After arriving at the residence and knocking on the door, the Officers were met by James Anthony King, 57 years of age. King lived at this residence. Officers noted blood on King’s hands and scratches on his arm. King refused to allow Officers inside his home but admitted that the woman in question was inside the home.

As with all physical domestic violence calls, Officers will always remain on scene and demand to see any potential victim(s) of domestic violence. As Sgt Lickteig attempted to secure King and make safe entry into the residence, King pulled away and swiftly locked himself inside. After hearing what sounded like a shotgun being pumped, the Officers took up defensive positions and began calling for the woman to come outside. After about 10 minutes, the woman finally came outside and Officers saw fresh blood on her.

At this time, Officers made the decision to arrest King. When he finally came to the open doorway, Sgt Lickteig was able to grab King and take him to the ground. King resisted the Officers for about seven minutes before he was “dry stunned” with a Taser, and they were finally able to get him handcuffed. During the struggle, King attempted to get his German Sheppard to attack Sgt Lickteig and Officer Judge.

King was arrested and charged with Resisting, Delaying, or Obstructing an Officer and Assault on a Female. King was transported to the Clay County Detention Center where he was checked out by Emergency Medical Services. King was placed on a 48 hour hold due to already being out on pretrial release.

At 4:26 AM on this same morning Sgt Lickteig and Officer Judge responded to another call to a woman in destress. This time the Officers were sent to 78 Winchester Cove Road in Hayesville.  A woman reported a prowler at her home. This prowler was later found to be Marlan William James, 34 years of age from Homer, GA. On the way to this call Officer Judge found James walking nearby and had him stand at Officer’s Judge’s patrol car. After speaking with the woman, Officer Judge learned that she had told James three times not to be back on her property. Sgt Lickteig soon arrived as back-up for Officer Judge during this call.

The Officers made the decision to arrest James for Second Degree Trespassing. As handcuffs were being placed on James he began resisting and had to be taken to the ground by the Officers. After some time, James was finally able to be handcuffed and transported to the Clay County Detention Center. James was charged with Second Degree Trespassing and given a $500 secured bond for his release.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.