Alva Review-Courier -

Officers say a man just couldn’t stop communicating with his estranged spouse despite several warnings. According to court records, Alfalfa County Deputies Loren Nusser and Thomas Wilson went to Helena to assist Helena Police Chief Jim Dykes with a domestic situation about 1:11 a.m. on Saturday, June 16.

The dispute between Paul Johnson and Pamela Powell was another call in a long history, according to the affidavit. It was determined the dispute was mutual and both parties would be separated for the night with no contact between them. Both were informed of this stipulation and agreed. Both Johnson and Powell said they were going to get protective orders against each other.

Johnson began complaining about having things in the house, and Powell said he could get his things. Johnson went in the house but did not get anything. He began complaining about a carton of cigarettes he bought for Powell. She gave him a pack, but this only made Johnson angrier.

The officers removed Johnson from the property before another fight could start. He was told to get in his pickup and leave, but he insisted on getting a tool set out of the storage shed.

Johnson was told to leave and to not try to contact Powell again that night. Johnson drove away, but he immediately returned with a bag of chicken feed. Officers told him this was his last chance to leave before he was arrested.

Johnson left while officers remained talking to Powell. While they were talking, Johnson called Powell’s phone. Deputies Nusser and Wilson caught up with him at the Highway 45 and Highway 58 junction. Nusser turned on his emergency lights, and Johnson pulled over. As Nusser was getting out of his vehicle, Johnson drove away from the traffic stop.

Nusser activated his siren and followed for about a quarter mile to the east before Johnson came to a stop and got out of his vehicle. Telling him he was under arrest, Nusser told Johnson to turn around and put his hands behind his back. He did not comply and questioned why they were arresting him.

Nusser told Johnson he had been told not to contact Powell but he had anyway.

Johnson was told again to turn around, but he continued to argue. Nusser and Wilson each grabbed an arm and attempted to handcuff Johnson. He began wrestling with the officers. They were finally able to get him into the cuffs. As they escorted him to Nusser’s vehicle, Johnson began trying to dig his heels in. When they got to the front of the vehicle, Johnson dropped to the ground and refused to get up.

Nusser grabbed Johnson under the arms, and Wilson grabbed his feet. The deputies carried him to the back door of Nusser’s patrol vehicle where they forcibly placed him inside. As soon as they closed the doors, Johnson began beating his head, shoulders, feet and knees against the doors and windows. According to Nusser’s affidavit, Johnson continued to yell at the deputies asking why he had been arrested and saying he did not know he could not contact Powell.

Nusser inventoried Johnson’s pickup prior to it being picked up by a wrecker. Dykes agreed to stay with the vehicle until the wrecker arrived.

On the way to the Alfalfa County Jail, Johnson continued to argue with Deputy Nusser. According to the affidavit, he kept changing his reasons for the phone call to Powell. He said he had meant to call his girlfriend in Oklahoma City. Another time he said he just wanted to tell Powell goodbye. A third time he said he thought the deputies were gone by the time he called.

Paul A. Johnson, 55, of Helena has been charged with misdemeanors of obstructing an officer and resisting an officer. Each is punishable by imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine up to $500.