A recent federal court filing outlines allegations that a local resident was subjected to excessive force, unlawful detention, and retaliation for exercising his right to free speech during an encounter with law enforcement. The complaint was filed by David Gilreath in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on March 31, 2026, naming Charles Blake McClure, a deputy sheriff, and Donald Craig, the sheriff of Pickens County, as defendants.
According to the complaint, Gilreath alleges that on May 8, 2024, he called 911 to report trespassers at his property located at 2081 Fisher Creek Road in Talking Rock, Georgia. He informed dispatch that he had a firearm for protection. Deputy McClure was dispatched to the scene after being advised by E-911 that the caller was “irate” and armed.
Upon arrival, Deputy McClure encountered Gilreath approximately 40 yards away from his patrol car. Gilreath had a pistol pointed down in his left hand next to a truck at the bottom of his driveway. When ordered by McClure to put down the gun, Gilreath complied by placing it on the rear tire of a vehicle before approaching McClure unarmed with his hands up. The complaint states that as Gilreath neared within about 30 feet of McClure, the deputy drew his Taser but did not instruct him to stop.
The filing asserts that when Gilreath questioned why he was being ordered onto his knees and asked if McClure would lower his Taser first, McClure fired the Taser at him without further warning. The probes struck Gilreath in the abdomen and leg; he fell to the ground incapacitated and pleaded for McClure to stop as a second Taser cycle was administered while he remained helpless. The document alleges that at no point did Gilreath pose any threat or resist arrest.
After being tased twice and handcuffed tightly enough to cause bleeding, Gilreath told McClure about medical issues related to bone cancer affecting his back. Despite these complaints and requests for relief from pain caused by handcuffs and position on the ground, McClure allegedly refused immediate assistance but later moved the cuffs to the front with help from Gilreath’s brother-in-law who arrived at the scene.
The complaint highlights statements made by Deputy McClure both during and after the incident indicating that his actions were motivated by Gilreath’s verbal criticism rather than any criminal conduct or threat: “I ain’t gonna be up here with you yelling and cussing at me,” McClure said while handcuffing him. In conversation with another officer following the event, McClure reportedly stated: “He was being disorderly, that was the reason,” adding “I’m not fucking with him up here on this mountain… I ain’t playing with him.”
Gilreath claims there was no probable cause or reasonable suspicion justifying seizure or use of force under state or federal law. He also points out that body camera footage shows he put down his gun before any confrontation escalated.
The lawsuit further details prior disciplinary history involving Deputy McClure dating back several years—including written reprimands for insubordination (2019), mishandling evidence (2022), failure to enforce policy violations (2022), voluntary demotion (2023), and lapsed Taser certification since October 2022 despite repeated opportunities for recertification offered by superiors including Sheriff Craig.
Internal Affairs investigated following this incident under Case No. [A-2024-04], sustaining violations against McClure for excessive force; failure to attend annual Taser training; failure to photograph injuries as required; and failure to notify supervisors after deploying a Taser. Despite these findings, disciplinary action amounted only to suspension totaling 36.75 hours along with remedial training—a response characterized in court documents as insufficient given documented patterns of misconduct.
Sheriff Craig is accused in both individual capacity and supervisory role of failing to implement or enforce policies necessary to prevent such incidents despite knowledge of prior issues involving Deputy McClure. The complaint alleges deliberate indifference on Craig’s part regarding citizens’ constitutional rights through inadequate supervision or discipline.
Gilreath seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries—including pain suffering emotional distress medical expenses—as well as punitive damages against both defendants individually “sufficient to punish them for their willful wanton reckless malicious conduct.” He also requests attorneys’ fees under applicable federal statutes plus other equitable or monetary relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Attorneys Andrew Lampros (Ga. Bar #432328) and Joseph Quattlebaum (Ga. Bar #319971) of Hall & Lampros LLP represent David Gilreath in this matter under Civil Action File No. 2:26-cv-00089-RWS.
Source: 226cv89_David_Gilreath_v_Charles_Blake_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
