Brian Rutledge
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in a Lincoln County judicial commissioner being charged with assault.
On March 3, at the request of 17th District Attorney General Robert Carter, special agents began investigating an incident that occurred at a market on Huntsville Highway in Fayetteville a few days prior.
During the course of the investigation, agents learned that on Feb. 28, two men were involved in an argument at that location. Following that exchange, one man began to drive away from the store and was flagged down by Brian Rutledge, 48.
The investigation showed that Rutledge approached that man’s truck to speak to him, and during their conversation, Rutledge grabbed the man by the neck. Both individuals contacted local law enforcement officials to make a report of the incident.
The matter was referred to the TBI due to the fact that Rutledge is a judicial commissioner in Lincoln County.
On Tuesday, the Lincoln County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Rutledge with one count of assault. The Fayetteville man was booked into the Lincoln County Jail Tuesday afternoon and released on his own recognizance.