Local man convicted in Taser incident vs. police

By Nate Delesline III

Published: July 25, 2008

A 30-year-old Culpeper man may face 20 years in prison for attacking police with one of their own Tasers last fall.

Judge Jay T. Swett convicted Arithiciaca Mandrell Gourdine on Monday of three counts of feloniously assaulting a police officer and one felony count of wounding a police animal. Gourdine, who also goes by the last name Cottoms, was found not guilty on felony charges of hit and run and escaping from police custody.

Under Virginia law, Gourdine faces a minimum punishment of 18 months in prison, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office said in a statement.

The Nov. 8 incident began as a DUI hit and run, when Gourdine struck two vehicles with his SUV but didn’t stop. The incident ended several hours later, when police overpowered Gourdine after he attacked three officers and a police dog with the electric stun weapon.

Police had arrested Gourdine after the hit and run on DUI charges, but he escaped. About two hours later, police were called to a residence on Orange Road when Gourdine was seen banging on a door.

When they arrived, Gourdine fled on foot. Police caught him, but in the ensuing scuffle, Gourdine grabbed the weapon and shocked the officers and the dog.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Close said that this case “shows the inherent danger that law enforcement officers encounter on a daily basis. We intend to ask the court to impose a lengthy prison sentence to stop this kind of behavior in the future.”

Gourdine, who also faces a $10,000 fine, is being held in custody until his sentencing.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or