Former Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force agent arrested for using excessive force on suspect
CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A former Trion Police Department (TPD) officer and Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC) Drug Task Force agent has been arrested for using excessive force on a suspect.
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., the LMCJ Drug Task Force attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle near Ridgeway Road.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader said the motorcycle refused to comply, and a pursuit was initiated.
The motorcycle eventually came to a stop on Wade Drive, where agents attempted to arrest the suspect.
Chattooga County deputies arrived after the motorcycle had stopped.
The first deputy helped restrain the driver, and a second deputy arrived shortly after.
The suspect was arrested and taken to jail.
Later, both deputies went to the local emergency department and reported witnessing a Drug Task Force agent use excessive force after the suspect had already been detained.
“Law Enforcement officers are required to use force in the performance of their sworn duties. Typically, the use of physical force is the last option used to arrest an individual. Law Enforcement officers are trained to use only the reasonable amount of force necessary to effectuate an arrest.”
-Mark Schrader, Chattooga County Sheriff
After reading their reports, Sheriff Schrader contacted the GBI to assist with the investigation.
The GBI secured an arrest warrant for Chris Wooten on June 18, 2025.
That same day, he was booked into and released from the Chattooga County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
He was charged with Aggravated Battery and Violation of Oath of Office.
“The public places trust in law enforcement to hold to these standards. The issues concerning this incident are outside of those standards, intolerable and should never happen. I thank my deputies for reporting what they saw, as they are required to do. I also thank Trion Police Chief David Gilleland, as well as the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Drug Task Force for their cooperation and desire to make sure this situation was handled appropriately.”
-Mark Schrader, Chattooga County Sheriff
