Iroquois deputies arrest Milford man on drug charges

WATSEKA – Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested Terry L. Gardner, of Milford, on several charges following a March 13 traffic stop.

According to a news release, deputies conducted the traffic stop at 9:37 p.m. March 13 on a vehicle in rural Sheldon.

The driver, Suzett K. Fassoth, 49, of Milford, was stopped for allegedly failing to signal when required, according to the release.

Deputies made contact with Fassoth and the 58-year-old Gardner, who was a front-seat passenger.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine along with various pieces of drug paraphernalia under Gardner’s seat, the release said.

When deputies attempted to place Gardner in custody, he resisted and fought with deputies. At one point, according to the release, Gardner attempted to gain control of a deputy’s taser, but was unsuccessful.

Both deputies sustained injuries during the altercation. Gardner was eventually placed into handcuffs, according to the release.

Gardner again resisted when being booked into the Iroquois County Jail. He fought with corrections staff, refused to be photographed or fingerprinted, and again refused to change into a jail uniform when requested by corrections staff.

Gardner was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and attempting to disarm a peace officer, according to the release.

Gardner was held pending a pretrial detention hearing. Due to the provisions in the SAFE-T Act, Gardner was required to be released from custody with a pending court date to answer for his charges, according to the release.

“The automatic release of violent offenders who fight with and intentionally injure police to avoid arrest only emboldens the criminal element,” Iroquois County Sheriff Clint Perzee said.

“Their automatic release makes our communities less safe, denigrates the rule of law and the job that these brave men and women do every day. The criminal element does not fear the consequences of their actions.

“Due to provisions of the SAFE-T Act and the presumption of pretrial release, they feel as if there are no consequences.”

Fassoth was taken into custody without incident. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was later released with a notice to appear, according to the release.