WARREN — A Knox County Sheriff's deputy resorted to using a Taser on both a Warren husband and his wife Wednesday night, while attempting to arrest the husband on a charge of terrorizing.

Deputy Nathaniel Jack and Sgt. James Moore responded in separate vehicles to the North Pond Road residence of Donald and Sherrie Demmons around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a complaint of terrorizing. According to Chief Deputy Tim Carroll, a complainant alleged that Donald Demmons had made threats to assault an employee that worked for them.

While standing in the door and talking to Donald, who refused to step outside, he told Deputy Jack what had previously happened. Based on that information, Donald was told he was going to be placed under arrest. At that point, Donald attempted to close the door and Jack stepped inside the residence.

"As Deputy Jack was attempting to restrain Demmons, his wife, Sherrie Demmons, stepped in and pushed Deputy Jack back while yelling at him. Deputy Jack pulled out his Taser and told Donald to comply. Sherrie lunged at Deputy Jack and kicked him, but Donald grabbed her and used her as a shield from Deputy Jack," said Carroll in a press release Thursday afternoon.

Jack put his Taser back into his holster and again attempted to grab Donald to arrest him, at which time Donald allegedly reached out and struck Jack in the face with his open hand, knocking Jack back.

Jack then drew his Taser again and deployed it on Donald, knocking him to the floor.

"Sherrie then charged Deputy Jack. Deputy Jack deployed a second Taser on her, also putting her to the floor," said Carroll.

Jack was eventually able to handcuff both of the Demmonses, who were then transported to Knox County Jail in Rockland.

Donald Demmons, 48, and Sherrie Demmons, 47, were both charged with assault, obstructing government administration and refusing to submit to arrest. Those charges are all class D misdemeanors, according to Carroll. Donald Demmons was also charged with class D terrorizing, relating to the initial complaint.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.