An attempt to serve a warrant in Churchville escalated quickly when an intoxicated man pointed firearms at Augusta County Sheriff’s Office deputies and his wife.
Frank Ralston Swope, after a brief standoff, was taken into custody, and no shots were fired by either party, according to the Augusta County sheriff.
According to the police report, deputies arrived to the 100 block of Scenic Highway just after noon to attempt warrant service on a wanted subject.
The homeowner, Swope, emerged to get a better look at the deputies who were approaching his residence. According to the ASCO, the deputies were in uniform and in marked police vehicles.
As deputies exited their vehicles, Swope went back inside. When he returned, he was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and a .44 magnum revolver, and according to law enforcement, he pointed both weapons at the deputies and his wife.
Deputies took cover and gave voice commands to Swope to drop the weapons.
After a short standoff, Swope went back into his residence and then re-emerged outside, unarmed, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Swope appeared to be intoxicated, according to the deputies.
Both weapons were recovered.
Swope was arrested and charged with:
- Four (4) counts – Pointing, holding, or brandishing a firearm
- Four (4) counts – Assault on law enforcement
- One (1) count – Public Intoxication
Swope is being held at the Middle River Regional Jail without bond.
Sheriff Donald Smith said in a statement that he wanted to “commend my deputies for their professionalism and restraint” in what he called a “rapidly escalating and potentially deadly incident.”
Swope has faced charges previously including two DWIs, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, reckless handling of a firearm, destruction of property and pointing/brandishing a firearm in incidents in 2020 and 2022. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail for his second DWI, according to court records, but 160 days were suspended.
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Crystal Graham
