NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A man was convicted on Monday for resisting arrest and calling on his dog to attack a law enforcement officer.
According to police, on Dec. 6, 2023, officers were dispatched to Kirbyhaigh Circle to serve 46-year-old Billy Ray Schafer warrants for his arrest. This is near E Little Creek Road.
Once officers arrived to the scene, they knocked on Schafer’s door. Schafer then opened a nearby window, telling officers he was “not going to accept the warrants.” Officers at the scene were able to see a large pit bull through the window, as well as Schafer telling his dog, “Let’s go [expletive] some [expletive] up.”
Shortly after this, Schafer opened his front door slightly, telling the officers, “if I open this door again, it’s going to be bad,” then closing the door and windows. Officers then waited on Schafer’s lawn.
After some time had passed, Schafer opened the door again and sicced his dog on the officers. The dog ran up to one officer, who then drew his gun. The dog, however, began wagging its tail and attempted to play with the officers.
While the dog was being playful, officers commanded Schafer to show his hands and attempted to place him under arrest. Schafer was able to get back inside his home, but came back out shortly afterward, where officers were then able to grab Schafer.
While officers were putting handcuffs on Schafer, he continued to resist arrest and remained disagreeable while officers took him to the hospital to be checked after the officers’ use of force.
Following the arrest, Schafer was additionally charged with felony assault of law enforcement, felony attempted animal attack, misdemeanor disorderly conduct on hospital grounds and misdemeanor obstruction of justice. Schafer pled not guilty to these charges and requested to be tried by a jury.
On Thursday, a jury found Schafer guilty of assaulting law enforcement and obstructing justice.
“Mr. Schafer could have saved himself and the police a lot of trouble had he gone with the officers peacefully rather than set in motion this bizarre series of events,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said. “Had Mr. Schafer done so, he would have faced none of the charges that went before this jury, and he would not be facing jail or prison for them. Whatever one’s opinion on whether they ought to be arrested, they should resolve that disagreement not by threats or attempts at violence but in court.”
Schafer’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on Jan. 17, 2025.