A man protesting law enforcement in Mesa was found to be in possession of a loaded gun when arrested early Wednesday morning for disorderly conduct.
Mesa Police said Jeremy Wiseman, 36, had been on the corner of Alma School Road and University Drive for several hours holding a sign that read “Stop the harassment Mesa Police,” along with a phone number reported to be his own. Police say Wiseman started yelling obscenities at officers who were called to the scene when a bicyclist said the suspect harassed him.
Up until the call from the bicyclist, which police received about 3 a.m., police had not contacted him because he was exercising his First Amendment rights, according to a press released by Mesa Police Sgt. Tony Landato.
Upon responding to the call, police said, Wiseman started screaming at them.
In an audio released by Mesa Police, a man is heard screaming “Stop Mesa Police harassment.” An officer responds, “I need to talk to you.” A moment later another officer is heard saying, “He’s got a gun,” and two officers start ordering the suspect to the ground.
Police first noticed the butt of the gun holding up the sign and ordered Wiseman to put the gun and the sign down. When he did not, two officers used a stun gun to subdue him and take him into custody, according to the police press release.
During an interview after he was booked into the Mesa City Jail, Wiseman said he had the gun to protect himself from Mesa Police.
According to the release, he then made threats saying the officer talking to him, “was stirring up a hornets nest" and Wiseman made a reference to former Los Angeles Police Department officer Christopher Dorner and his manifesto against police. Dorner is believed to have killed multiple police officers and civilians in California this week, leading to a multi-state manhunt.
Before the interview was over, police said Wiseman stated he would bond out and take care of “the problem.”
He was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and threats.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6549 or mreese@evtrib.com
bungknock posted at 9:36 am on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
I can't believe how stupid some people are. When a policeman instructs you to put down your gun, it's not only the smart thing to do, it is the law.
vwkaferman posted at 9:59 am on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
Umm, it's not illegal to possess a gun, even when the cops question you or approach you. He did not brandish it, threaten anyone with it, etc. I think the cops went overboard here, as usual. There are many Youtube video's of people exercising their rights to carry, and having discussions with police without arrest. Look them up.
scyntax posted at 10:20 am on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
Yeah, we all know it's not illegal to carry a gun. But when you start acting irrationally around police, and they see you have a gun, things change. His comments about Dorner and bonding out and taking care of the "problem" are irrational statements that make people real nervous, don't you think?
VofReason posted at 11:49 am on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
This is what is known as a fool. For vwkaferman, you can see why police may have wanted to disarm this person if they were called because he was harrasing passerbys- right. This is a little different then standing and displaying your right to free speech while casually having a gun on your person. You see the difference , right? Remember this name, it will be in the paper again, bet on it.
azconan posted at 1:40 pm on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
You fools believe everything you read? I dont. I once was handing out anti Obama flyers near my childs school. Didnt speak a word just offewred flyers to people coming by. Someone called the cops said I was yelling racial slurs. LOL I never spoke a single word. I refused to stop and they went away and left me. Believe me the cops arent always honest. Just ask an MCSO deputy who pulls BROWN people over because he didnt signal. Yeah right.
Rich posted at 7:37 pm on Fri, Feb 15, 2013.
He was protesting the police, if he hadn't been armed, he'd be dead and they would tell you he was.
loose stool posted at 4:39 am on Sat, Feb 16, 2013.
What an idiot.
Most cops are not racist,I get tired of people using thier skin color as an excuse for violating the law. Seems like they are the racist.