Additional charges filed in Derby Dam officer involved shooting case

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has filed additional charges against the man shot by Sparks police early May 5 near Derby Dam, following a pursuit from Sparks.

Joseph Patrick Williams now faces one felony charge of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, and two felony charges of assault on a peace officer. Separate, and apart from the officer involved shooting investigation, Williams is charged with 10 separate counts of violating an extended protection order for domestic violence.

At one point during the vehicle pursuit which started near the 1600 block of Victorian Avenue in Sparks and ended on Interstate-80 near mile marker 41, officers pursuing Williams reported hearing a noise that may have been gunfire, prompting officers to proceed with caution.

WCSO said Monday that a search warrant was served on Williams’ truck and a handgun was found inside.

In addition, WCSO charges that Williams placed officers in fear of immediate bodily harm by using his truck to ram officer vehicles while attempting to escape.

Williams was originally charged with a felony charge of a driver disobeying a peace officer and endangering others. He was being held on $10,000 bail. With the new charges, a $10,000 bond has been added for the domestic violence counts, and a $250,000 bail has been added with the new charges.

Williams is scheduled to appear in court May 20.