Missouri man accused of shooting Pettis County deputies faces federal charges
SEDALIA, Mo. (KCTV) - A Pettis County man is charged with illegally having a gun when he allegedly shot two deputies serving a warrant early Friday morning.
The Pettis County deputies were part of a SWAT team serving the drug-related warrant at 62-year-old James Joseph Elsea’s home.
According to a federal affidavit, the SWAT team arrived at the rural property around 5:45 a.m. Officers used a saw to cut into the reinforced front door of the house.
The document shows Elsea fired four gunshots at the front door when he heard the noise. Elsea then grabbed a phone and called 911 to report he shot someone according to the affidavit. The 911 operator informed Elsea that police were at his door.
One of the deputies was shot above the knee. The bullet shattered his femur. A bullet hit another deputy in the lower leg. Both deputies were treated at hospitals and released.
Officers arrested Elsea as he tried to climb out a window of the house.
Elsea is a convicted drug dealer and previously served a seven-year prison sentence. He is not allowed to legally have a gun because of that conviction.
Court documents show investigators located two guns inside Elsea’s home following the shooting.
Elsea appeared before a federal judge Tuesday morning and will remain in custody. His next court hearing has not been scheduled.
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