A former New Hanover County sheriff’s deputy was convicted of simple assault in Pender County District Court on Wednesday.
District Judge James Faison sentenced Reed Roberts to 30 days in prison, which was suspended, and ordered him to serve 12 months of supervised probation, according to Samantha Dooies, assistant to District Attorney Ben David.
Roberts was fired after an altercation with a utility worker at his Pender County home in October 2013.
Related story: New Hanover sheriff’s deputy fired after using his Taser in fight with utility worker
“Roberts was at his home in Pender County awaiting a utilities technician to restore power back to his home,” New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Jerry Brewer said. “Once the technician arrived and began reconnecting the utilities, an altercation ensued between Roberts and the technician…resulting in Roberts discharging his Taser.
“An internal investigation was conducted and it was determined that Roberts violated sheriff’s office policy.”
Faison ordered that Roberts cannot serve as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina.
