TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — Newly obtained body camera footage and police incident reports reveal that a man subjected to repeated Taser deployments and strikes during a violent arrest by Tifton police did not have any active warrants when officers attempted to detain him.

The July 1 arrest of James Milton, 49, on Omega Road drew widespread community outrage after bystander cellphone video captured multiple officers striking him and deploying tasers while he was on the ground.

Initial reports from the Tifton Police Department indicated officers attempted to detain Milton after discovering he had active warrants. However, body camera audio and official department incident reports show dispatch specifically cleared Milton of any warrants moments before the pursuit and physical confrontation began.

What the body camera video shows

According to body camera footage and incident records, Officer A. Donahue initially responded to a domestic dispute call at a mobile home on South College Circle, where Milton told the officer he had broken a window while attempting to retrieve his television and personal belongings.

After gathering Milton’s name and date of birth, Donahue ran his information through dispatch over his radio.

“There’s no warrants on a James Milton,” dispatch confirmed over the radio channel at approximately the 3:55 mark of the recording.

“You ain’t got no warrants on me, my friend,” Milton responded.

“You’re good, man. Hey, come here,” the officer said, before Milton replied, “No, you ain’t got no warrants, man,” and began walking away.

The video shows the officer ordering Milton to stop before deploying a department-issued Taser twice, striking Milton in the upper back and bringing him to the ground in the driveway of the neighboring Nine Oaks apartments.

Struggle, repeated strikes and Taser deployments

The body camera recording and supplemental incident reports detail an escalating struggle on the ground involving Donahue, Sgt. R. Kelly, and Officer J. Burgess:

• Taser Drive Stuns: Donahue reported delivering multiple “drive stun” applications to Milton’s upper back, neck, and right rib cage. Burgess later deployed additional drive stuns to Milton’s leg.
• Strikes: Donahue documented using closed-fist strikes and elbow strikes to Milton’s lower back to gain compliance while his leg was pinned under Milton.
• Charges: Milton was ultimately charged with misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

In the body camera recording following the arrest, an onlooker asked officers why Milton was being taken to jail if the property owner and woman involved were not pressing charges for the broken window.

“Obstruction,” an officer answered. “He shouldn’t have run. He didn’t even have any warrants.”

Investigation is closed

Milton was medically evaluated by EMS before booking into the Tift County Law Enforcement Center. Tifton police officials confirmed that an internal use-of-force review was initiated following the incident.

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