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Bloomfield man considered a serious violent felon is charged with possession of a firearm following incident

After several officers responded to a report that a naked man, covered in blood, was screaming, yelling and banging on things in Bloomfield, the man was taken into custody and given medical attention. Since then, he’s been arrested and charged with several counts including unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.

James Donald Anderson

James Donald Anderson

James Donald Anderson, 33, Bloomfield, was arrested by Deputy Harvey Holt of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department last Wednesday, December 9, on a warrant that was issued for Anderson’s arrest following an incident that occurred back on Wednesday, November 25.

Indiana State Police Trooper Richard Klun, the lead investigator, and Bloomfield Town Marshal Ken Tharp, Greene County Sheriff’s Detective Shawn Cullison and GCSD Detective David Elmore all responded on Wednesday, November 25, to a residence in Bloomfield on the report that a naked male, covered in blood, was screaming, yelling and banging on miscellaneous things.

When Trooper Klun arrived on the scene, Marshal Tharp was in back of the residence talking to the man, later identified as James Donald Anderson. Trooper Klun said he saw Anderson was naked and had blood on him. He also said he saw blood on the mailbox and blood on the window of a blue Ford Crown Victoria. At the front door of the residence, he could smell the odor of marijuana.

While Marshal Tharp was negotiating with Anderson, another man, who was a close family member, arrived and spoke to officers about the situation. The family member also attempted to talk to Anderson in an effort to get him to cooperate with the officers.

At some point, Anderson was back inside the residence and erratic behavior continued inside. Officers on the scene believed Anderson was in possession of two handguns.

In a probable cause affidavit prepared by Trooper Klun, he details the behavior the officers observed and the attempts to de-escalate the situation. Anderson was asked to exit the residence but he refused.

After these efforts, Trooper Klun and Marshal Tharp made entry into the residence and located Anderson who allegedly was not cooperative. Anderson was taken into custody after he was incapacitated by a Taser deployment.

Trooper Klun reported after that, Anderson still refused to cooperate in any manner and that included putting clothes on. He was removed from the residence and transported without clothing.

Trooper Klun reported that while the officers were inside the residence, he saw what appeared to be a marijuana plant sitting in plain view and a 9 mm gun case and what he thought was 9 mm ammunition, also in plain view.

Later the same day, a search warrant for the residence was executed by Trooper Klun, Marshal Tharp and Bloomfield Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier. Trooper Klun reported they found a Walther 9 mm handgun, loaded with one in the chamber, rubber containers with THC wax, a metal grinder, smoking devices with burnt plant material, a digital scale, mason jars containing plant material, another jar with seeds labeled as marijuana seeds, four marijuana plants in pots in one location, five younger marijuana plants, two medication bottles containing marijuana seeds, and a Smith & Wesson revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

Trooper Klun reported Anderson’s criminal history shows he was convicted of a violent felony, specifically aggravated assault, in Utah in 2014 and this qualifies Anderson to be considered a serious violent offender who is not allowed to possession firearms. Anderson was also convicted of a dangerous drugs offense in Utah in 2013.

The approximate weight of marijuana seized from the residence was 106 grams, not including the weight of the plants or the marijuana THC wax.

Although Anderson was transported, he was not booked into the Greene County Jail on the date of this incident, but was taken to a hospital for medical attention.

A criminal case was then filed against him and a warrant issued for his arrest on December 7. Anderson’s bond was set at $25,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of this evening, Anderson has not posted bond and is still in jail.

Last Thursday afternoon, December 10, Anderson appeared in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing.

Anderson has been charged with:

  • Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony,

  • Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances, a Level 6 felony,

  • Possession of marijuana involving growing or cultivating marijuana, with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony,

  • Resisting law enforcement – knowingly or intentionally forcibly resists, a Class A misdemeanor,

  • Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, and

  • Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.