Arrest Of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Judge Gets Hostile: MSP

ATHOL, MA—An allegedly hostile suspect was tased and also faces charges after State Police tried to serve a warrant for threatening a state judge.

Early Friday morning, around 3 a.m., the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team (MSP STOP) went into a home on South Street in Athol and served an arrest warrant on an adult male wanted for threatening a state judge.

For several hours at the door, troopers and a negotiator attempted to persuade subject Jeffrey Wheeler, 56, to surrender. Wheeler refused to surrender peacefully.

When troopers headed in to the residence, they had to use a Taser to subdue Wheeler, who was hostile, in order to take him into custody. He was transported to a hospital for examination and then brought to the State Police barracks in Athol.

MSP Troopers obtained the arrest warrant on Thursday after conducting an investigation into threats made against a state judge. The investigation suggests that Wheeler, whose license to carry a firearm had previously been revoked, may still have access to a firearm. On Thursday afternoon, a BOLO was issued for him.

At approximately 7 p.m. Troopers from the Athol Barracks located the suspect’s vehicle outside his residence at South Street in Athol. Troopers established a perimeter around the suspect’s house, which appeared to have an outdoor camera surveillance system installed.

Wheeler will be arraigned on Friday in Orange District Court.

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