Columbus County man accused of biting resident, assaulting deputies during arrest

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A Columbus County man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after deputies say he bit a resident, resisted arrest and assaulted law enforcement officers during and after his arrest Thursday.

According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Evergreen community on July 16 after receiving multiple reports of a man attempting to enter occupied homes and vehicles while behaving erratically.

Deputies identified the suspect as 27-year-old James Adam Montgomery of Chadbourn.

The sheriff’s office said Montgomery resisted attempts to take him into custody, prompting additional deputies to respond. Authorities allege he kicked, fought, attempted to bite deputies and spat on responding officers before being taken into custody. After being evaluated by emergency medical personnel, Montgomery was transported to the Columbus County Detention Center.

Investigators said Montgomery continued to resist while being booked into the jail, where he allegedly attempted to bite and spit on multiple law enforcement and detention officers before being restrained.

The sheriff’s office said the arrest followed an earlier incident in which Montgomery allegedly assaulted a resident after attempting to enter the person’s vehicle. Investigators said the victim reported being bitten multiple times during the encounter.

Montgomery was charged with attempted common law robbery, multiple counts of assault inflicting physical injury on law enforcement and detention officers, assault and battery, resisting a public officer and other offenses, according to Columbus County detention records. He was being held without bond on several charges.