HIAWASSEE - A routine traffic stop in Towns County turned into a felony arrest after the subject of the stop pulled a gun on officers.
According to a press released from the Towns County Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a vehicle on Wednesday on Highway 76 at the old Mohawk building.
"Immediately the driver exhibited aggression towards the officers and began making statements consistent with "sovereign citizen" type beliefs. Rather than comply with deputies, the driver reached for a gun," authorities said in the release.
Deputies reportedly broke the drivers side window to physically remove the drive and disarm him. However, deputies say the driver, later identified as Dustin Lee Gunnells, reached for another gun that was holstered near the small of his back.
Deputies report they were able to disarm the 30-year-old. He was not injured.
One officer suffered a small injury due to the broken glass. No one else was injured.
Several firearms were confiscated from the vehicle, including a 9mm hand gun, a .45 caliber hand gun, a .40 caliber hand gun, a .44 magnum caliber short rifle, and a .223 caliber AR-15 format carbine. All of the firearms were loaded, and all but one had rounds in the chamber.
The Hiawassee man is facing six counts each of aggravated assault on a police officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Gunnells is currently in the Towns County Sheriff's Detention Center and no bond has been set.
