The Town of Elon Police arrested Elon University junior William Lounsbury Feb. 17 and charged him with resisting arrest, assault on a government official and possession of 0.1 ounces of cocaine. He was placed under a $12,000 secured bond.
According to the police report, officer James Giannotti was patrolling the Elon University intramural fields with Travis Sykes, an Elon University police officer, when he noticed Lounsbury, who appeared to be intoxicated and confused. He was carrying a tan plastic bag.
When the officers approached Lounsbury, he was initially polite, but he kept putting his hands in his pockets, according to the report. The officers noticed a strange bulge in one of his pockets, and when Sykes inquired about it, Lounsbury produced two pairs of shooters glasses (glasses worn while shooting a weapon) and a small bag of white powder. Lounsbury handed the bag to Sykes, who handed it to Giannotti.
When the bag touched Gianotti’s hand, Lounsbury lowered his head and struck Giannotti in the chest with his elbow, according to the report. Giannotti grabbed Lounsbury by the waist. A struggle ensued, and Sykes intervened. After several attempts, the officers cuffed and arrested Lounsbury.
Giannotti analyzed the contents of the bag at the Elon Police Department and found it contained cocaine.