Judge to decide if jail officer broke the law

Staff Report

NEWTON FALLS — A judge will hear the evidence and decide whether off-duty Trumbull County Jail corrections officer Timothy Billock broke the law by firing a gun at a motorist outside his Newton Falls home July 15.

During a pretrial conference Thursday morning, a trial date of Dec. 10 was set for Judge Phil Vigorito to hear testimony on the fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm in the city limits.

David Lake, an assistant Newton Falls prosecutor, said the matter will go to trial to resolve legal and factual questions, such as whether Billock was serving in the capacity of a commissioned police officer at the time he confronted the driver.

Lake said Billock has 10 days to request a jury trial, but at this point, the case will be tried by the judge.

Billock, 43, said he was taking out the trash at his house when a motorist came speeding up his street about 10:45 p.m.

Billock showed the motorist his badge, identified himself as a deputy sheriff and told the driver to turn on his headlights.

After the driver yelled obscenities at Billock, the deputy extended his hand a second time and told the driver to turn on his lights, but the driver instead reached for Billock’s hand and started to drive away, dragging Billock, police said.

Billock said he fired his gun to get the driver to let go, but Newton Falls Police Chief John M. Kuivila said it was difficult to believe Billock’s description of events because Billock had no marks on his arm indicating that he had been dragged.