BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A Brunswick man was convicted of aggravated assault on a peace officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony on Wednesday, May 24. This followed a jury trial that concluded on May 19.
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The charges against Joseph Michael Trutt, 33, stem from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours on Jul. 17, 2022. Glynn County Police Department officer Mario Nichols responded to a call for assistance. Officer Nichols met with a woman who wanted to get her belongings, including baby clothes, out of a house she has shared with Trutt. Trutt was also the father of her children.
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The woman advised Officer Nichols that she was afraid of Trutt and that was the reason to call law enforcement for help.
As they arrived at the Waverly Pines area of Brunswick and were walking up the driveway towards the home, Officer Nichols was told that Trutt was sitting in a car in the driveway.
As Officer Nichols turned toward the vehicle Trutt was in, he heard the sound of a gun being loaded and racked. Trutt raised his firearm and pointed it at the officer before lowering the gun. Officer Nichols un-holstered his service weapon and instructed Trutt to put down the gun and called for back-up.
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Trutt finally put down the handgun after being instructed numerous times to do so. Trutt was placed under arrest, handcuffed and taken to the Glynn County Detention Center.
The firearm that Trutt had was found to be a “ghost” handgun that was built by Trutt. It had a round in the chamber with ammo in the magazine.
Trutt was found guilty of aggravated assault on a peace officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
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On May 24, 2023, Trutt was sentenced by Judge Kelley to 20 years with the first 10 years in confinement and the remainder on probation for the aggravated assault, and 5 years probation.
