Ada man arrested after scuffle with deputies

Apr. 13—An Ada man who had outstanding arrest warrants out of Pontotoc and Pottawatomie counties was arrested Thursday night, but not before he allegedly assaulted a sheriff's deputy and a K-9 officer.

According to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a residence near Asher for a welfare check.

While Deputies were on scene, they learned there was a male subject in the residence, Johnnie Levi Byrd, 37, who had active felony warrants for his arrest out of Pottawatomie County and Pontotoc County.

The PCSO said Byrd, two years prior, had crashed head-on into a Pottawatomie County deputy's patrol vehicle while attempting to elude. For that crime, Byrd was charged with felony endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude peace officers.

On April 3, 2024, Byrd reportedly failed to appear in court and an arrest warrant was issued, according to court records.

The PCSO said deputies waited outside and "exhausted every option to allow Byrd to come out peacefully."

However, Byrd reportedly did not exit the residence after several warnings. Eventually, deputies entered the residence and used "less than lethal options" on Byrd but were unsuccessful.

Deputies said when they entered, Byrd threw a hammer and a knife at deputies, then "took hold of a speaker and speaker wire and began throwing it around with the speaker attached."

Deputies then released a K-9, "Onyx," which Byrd reportedly assaulted by hitting him with speaker wire in the snout and head. An assisting officer was also reportedly assaulted, according to the sheriff's office.

Byrd was eventually taken into custody and booked into jail on his warrants, but also on suspicion of assault and battery on a peace officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police canine, resisting arrest and obstruction.

His Pottawatomie County warrant had a bond of $100,000, and for Thursday's arrest, he received a $50,000 bond.

Although Byrd has been charged in Pontotoc County with, and convicted of, numerous felonies and misdemeanors, his last charge was misdemeanor eluding or attempting to elude a police officer and reckless driving in January 2023, with the arresting agency listed as Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department.

According to court records, Byrd failed to appear in court and a bench warrant was issued March 5, 2024.