Fired Chief Says He Was "Fearful Of His Life"

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Decatur police are investigating allegations that DeKalb County officials illegally detained former DeKalb Chief Terrell Bolton and stole his diabetes testing kit.

According to a police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bolton asked officers to issue arrest warrants for CEO Burrell Ellis, Sheriff Thomas Brown and county chief operating officer Keith Barker on charges of false imprisonment, theft by taking and criminal trespass.

Decatur Police Chief Mike Booker said Tuesday that the investigation is in the preliminary stages.

“We will work it like any other case,” he told the AJC. “We’re working with the district attorney to see if there is enough evidence to issue warrants.”

District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming said she provided legal advice, but is not conducting an investigation.

Bolton’s allegations are the latest news in his attempt to get his job back. Ellis fired Bolton last year, accusing the chief of insubordination, misuse of county property and acts unbecoming of an officer.

“Last year, CEO Ellis clearly articulated with supporting facts the reason for Mr. Bolton's termination as DeKalb County's Police Chief,” Ellis’ spokeswoman Shelia Edwards said Tuesday. “His [Bolton’s] current allegations are completely false.”

Brown and Barker both declined to comment Tuesday.

According to the police report, Bolton said he arrived to a meeting with the CEO in February 2009 and was led to a fenced-in area in the courthouse by several undercover deputies.

“Bolton stated he felt intimidated and thought he was being taken into the courthouse the same way a prisoner was taken into the building,” the report states.

The former chief said the sheriff then led him into a private room, where Ellis and Baker were waiting. Bolton told officers the room was like a “bunker” and appeared to be set up for “an interrogation room.”

Throughout the meeting, Ellis and Barker continued to threaten to fire Bolton if he didn’t resign, the report states.

Bolton said he was detained in the room for about six and a half hours. During that time, he said he had to be escorted to the bathroom by a deputy and was denied food for about an hour.

At Bolton's request, a deputy retrieved his diabetes medicine from his car. However, during this time his car was illegally searched, the chief said. Bolton told officers his cellphone and checkbook were tampered with, and his blood sugar level testing kit – valued at $50 -- was missing, according to the report.

“He felt intimidated and was fearful of his life,” the report states.

Last year, Bolton filed a lawsuit against the county, alleging he was wrongly terminated. However, he did not complain he was a victim of a crime until Monday.

Bolton’s attorney Nakata Fitch, who was hired last week, said that was because the former chief was too embarrassed to come forward.

The alleged incident occurred at the courthouse, which is in the City of Decatur.

Disgraced Former Police Chief Terrell Bolton Hires New Attorney, Denied Continuance

The pitiful Terrell Bolton who was fired as police chief for total incompetence, has hired attorney Nakata Fitch to replace attorney William "Bill" Mckenney who jumped the sinking ship.

On May 7, Bolton's new attorney, Nakata Fitch filed a motion for a continuance before Superior Court Judge Castellani, which was promptly denied.

Bolton's appeal hearing for his alleged wrongful termination is scheduled for Monday, May 10 at 1:30 PM before Judge Castellani, court room 7C

One word comes to mind: Loser