Lewiston man arrested peacefully after SWAT standoff at Newton Dam

Booking photo for Jerry Gillespie (Courtesy: Cache County Jail).

Cache County Sheriff’s deputies were able to take a 47-year-old Lewiston man into custody without incident after some tense moments Tuesday. Jerry Gillespie was booked into the Cache County Jail peacefully, where he is being held on $37,630 bond.

Lt. Mikelshan Bartschi said deputies began looking for Gillespie Tuesday morning after family members reported concerns about his erratic behavior and drug use. He had also allegedly assaulted family members, and threatened to harm himself and others.

Deputies were able to track Gillespie to a camp trailer that was parked near Newton Dam. When they called and attempted to negotiate with him, he repeated threats of suicide and wanting to “shoot it out” with law enforcement.

Bartschi said SWAT teams were called to the dam to help assist with the negotiations and to monitor Gillespie’s movements. Deputies were also sent to Lewiston Elementary School, where they were concerned that he might go to try and contact family members who were there.

As law enforcement continued their phone negotiations, Gillespie began to leave the campsite. He drove toward the deputies’ checkpoint and surrendered without violence.

Gillespie was treated by paramedics who were staging nearby. He was later arrested on suspicion of felony aggravated assault, child abuse, and possession of a dangerous weapon, along with misdemeanor violence and drug possession.

Bartschi explained that deputies had prior involvements with the suspect. He said, “[Gillespie] has had a lot of red flags in the past. This time though, he crossed a line that will hopefully allow us to get him the help he needs.”


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