A man who officials said fought with a deputy and knocked a Taser from the deputy's hand during a foot chase Wednesday finally was subdued and charged with felony drug possession.

Ricky Lee Lively Jr., 27, of Colfax Road West, was one of four arrested as a result of an investigation into methamphetamine sales at a Garden District apartment, said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.

Statesboro-Bulloch County Crime Suppression Team members had investigated illicit drug activity at the apartment before Wednesday and while "conducting surveillance on the location, observed a male and female exit the target apartment and leave in a vehicle," Anderson said.
Suppression Team investigators and Statesboro police patrol units stopped the vehicle near Stambuk Lane, and Lively fled.

"Investigators attempted to stop the foot pursuit using a Taser, (but) Lively ... turned and began to fight one of the investigators by striking him, knocking the Taser from the investigator's grasp in the process," he said. "Lively was finally subdued as other investigators arrived. A search of his person revealed several types of controlled substances."

A female passenger, Sydney Strickland, 22, of Isaac Road in Claxton, was found to have in her possession "a significant quantity of crystal methamphetamine" and also was arrested.

Investigators returned to the Garden District apartment and took another person into custody as well: Jerry Bentzel, 23, of Cedar Avenue in Hagan.

Lively is charged with felony obstruction of law enforcement; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; two counts of sale of methamphetamine; one count each of possession of schedule I, II, III and IV controlled substances; possession of a drug-related object; attempting to remove an officer's weapon; disorderly conduct; misdemeanor obstruction; and probation violation, Anderson said.

Strickland is charged with possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule I controlled substance, tampering with evidence, possession of a drug-related object and misdemeanor obstruction.

Bentzel is charged with possession of a schedule I controlled substance and unlawful use of communications facilities.

Lively and Strickland were denied bond. Bentzel was granted a bond of $10,000, Anderson said.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.