A Minden man racked up several charges after reportedly accusing his neighbor of sleeping with his wife.
Gerry D. Chism, 40, of the 1000 block of Tillman Drive, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 8 and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, disturbing the peace, simple assault and remaining after forbidden. Bond was set at $126,300.
His wife, Tracie Rene Hattaway, 42, of the same address, was arrested the same day and charged with interfering with an officer.
Minden police chief Steve Cropper says the incident began when Chism went to his neighbor’s house and began banging on his door.
“We got a call from Mr. Chism’s neighbor after he’d come to their door around 11:20 p.m.,” he said. “The caller indicated that when he answered the door, Mr. Chism accused him of having some type of involvement with his wife. The neighbor and his wife told Mr. Chism to leave the residence. He refused, and they told him they were going to call the police, and that’s when he walked away telling them he was going to ‘blast them all.’”
Sgt. Chris McClaran, Officer First Class Clint Smith and Officer Brandon Curry responded after the neighbor called police, the chief said. The officers attempted to make contact with Chism at his residence, but no one would answer the door.
“They identified themselves as Minden police officers, and asked for someone to step outside and talk to them,” Cropper said. “Eventually, Tracie Hattaway opened the door, looked at police and then slammed the door quickly. Officers established a perimeter around the residence. Sgt. McClaran apparently saw someone walking inside the residence and looking through a window.”
Eventually, Chism and Hattaway exited the residence voluntarily, but released two large dogs, according to the police report. Both Chism and Hattaway were placed under arrest and a protective sweep of the residence was conducted.
“Officers observed and seized a loaded shotgun propped against the wall in the hallway inside the residence,” the chief said.
Both were booked at the Minden Police Department and Chism was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Editor’s note: Mugshots were not made available as of press time.