A former Trion Police officer and agent with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force has been charged with two felonies following allegations of excessive force during an arrest earlier this month, according to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader.
The incident occurred on June 4, when a motorcycle pursuit ended near Wade Drive. After the suspect was taken into custody and handcuffed, deputies on the scene reported witnessing one of the Drug Task Force agents allegedly use force beyond what was necessary.
An internal review was promptly initiated, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was brought in to assist. Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday, June 18, for Chris Wooten, the agent accused in the incident.
Wooten is charged with Aggravated Battery and Violation of Oath of Office — both felony offenses. He was booked and later released on a $20,000 bond.
Sheriff Schrader publicly commended the deputies for their integrity in reporting the incident.
“The actions observed were outside of accepted standards and are intolerable,” Schrader stated.
Wooten previously served with the Trion Police Department before joining the multi-agency drug task force. As of Wednesday, he is no longer affiliated with law enforcement.
The case remains under investigation by the GBI and the District Attorney’s Office. Further details will be released as they become available.