Jan. 6 defendant fired on deputies ahead of expected arrest, court records show

Now, Pelham is facing a felony charge that could result in years of jail time for allegedly firing a 9mm pistol in the direction of deputies.

The sheriff’s deputies indicated that when they arrived at his house, Pelham sent his young daughter outside before he began firing gunshots.

“After putting the child in the patrol car, Deputy J.W. heard gunshots coming from inside the residence,” according to the newly revealed charging documents. “Deputy J.W. reported that the gunshots were spread out in time and that they were not towards the HCSO personnel. Deputy J.W. moved his patrol car away from the front of the residence for additional safety.”

The deputy who first said he shielded Pelham’s daughter arrived at about 8:40 p.m. An hour later, according to the filings, Pelham’s father arrived on the scene and another shot was fired.

“[T]he bullet from this gunshot came in so close proximity to myself that I could hear the distinct whistling sound as the bullet traveled by me and then strike a metal object to my right side,” one of the deputies, identified only as J.W., reported.

An FBI agent arrived on the scene at about 10:40 p.m. to help put Pelham under arrest. He said he heard another six to seven gunshots fired.

The court documents indicate that Pelham has a 2003 Texas felony conviction, which barred him from being in possession of a firearm.