BOONE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Boone County man was arrested after deputies say he threatened a bartender while heavily intoxicated before being found walking down the middle of a state highway.
According to the West Virginia State Police, Trooper B.C. French was dispatched on July 9 to the Tipsy Trout in the Peytona area following reports of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance.
While en route, Boone County Emergency Communications advised the trooper that the man had left the bar and was walking down the middle of West Virginia Route 3.
The trooper located the man, identified as Russell Lee Gillenwater, and reported that he had slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
According to the bartender, Gillenwater arrived at the Tipsy Trout already heavily intoxicated. After she refused to serve him alcohol because of his condition, Gillenwater allegedly turned to another customer and said, “I wonder if she had ever been shot in the chest,” referring to the bartender.
Investigators determined the statement placed the bartender in fear of immediate harm.
Gillenwater was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Southwestern Regional Jail.
He has been charged with public intoxication and assault.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Gillenwater is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
