A Memphis area attorney was arrested Thursday and is accused of disrupting General Sessions Court proceedings and then struggling with a Tipton County sheriff’s deputy who was escorting him out of the courtroom, according to an affidavit of complaint obtained by Paper Folds. 

James Davis, 39, of Cordova, is accused of interrupting a Tipton County General Sessions courtroom while the judge was taking a plea from an inmate. 

According to the affidavit, Davis walked into the “well,” the area between the attorneys’ table and the bench, and approached the court clerk while proceedings were underway. The affidavit states Judge Mo Eckel addressed Davis twice, telling him to move out of the way and take a seat in the gallery.

Deputy Jared Holloway, who works in the courtroom, reportedly then asked Davis to move, and began escorting him toward the gallery after Davis continued to disrupt the courtroom. The affidavit states Davis was using his cellphone as he was being walked out.

Court documents said Holloway escorted Davis from the courtroom, Davis jerked his arm away from the deputy and attempted to strike him with a closed fist. Holloway then struck Davis in the face, according to the affidavit, and attempted to restrain him. The two reportedly fell backward into a pew during the struggle before Cpl. Keith Saemenes helped Holloway regain control of Davis.

Davis was said to have continued to resist being handcuffed and Holloway drew his Taser and ordered Davis to comply. Davis then put his hands behind his back and was taken into custody without further incident, the affidavit states.

Davis’s bond was set at $20,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Paper Folds has made an informal request for the video of the courtroom incident, however, the video will not be released until the matter has been adjudicated.

Davis is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.