Bad French fry order leads to arrest of Greene County family

A Greene County family and associates of a Charlottesville-based towing company have been charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in Stafford County following a March 21 incident at a South Stafford McDonald’s restaurant. Two Stafford County deputies were injured in the altercation.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) reported it received a call at 6:24 p.m. for a fight in progress involving 10 people at the restaurant located at 44 Stanstead Road in Fredericksburg. The disturbance originally evolved over alleged bad French fries.

Once law enforcement arrived it was quickly determined no assault had taken place and the Ace’s Towing employees were asked to leave the restaurant’s lobby. The incident escalated in the parking lot and McDonald’s management informed SCSO they considered the five individuals trespassing.

"The investigation revealed Jamie Morris, 48, a tow truck driver from Dyke, was upset over his French fry order,” the SCSO incident report stated. "This led to a verbal dispute with store staff. Another customer came to the defense of employees and the verbal altercation continued in the lobby.

"Store management requested Morris and the group of Ace‘s Towing employees with him leave the property. The tow truck group was given ample opportunity to leave, but refused. Management proceeded to tell the group they were trespassed from the property.”

In addition to Jamie Morris, William R. Morris Jr., 36, of Dyke decided not to follow law enforcement instruction.

After being informed of his pending arrest for trespass, he allegedly attempted to flee on foot.

"He was tackled approximately 20 yards away and handcuffed,” the report states. "As he was being brought to a patrol car for transport, an irate mob of tow truck employees began encircling one of the deputies.”

The report adds the tow truck employees became more agitated and were impeding the investigation.

"They had been previously told to leave, but continued to shout obscenities and refused to vacate the property,” the report stated. "[Pepper] spray was utilized as the rowdy group surrounded the deputy. As one suspect was being detained, Jamie McKenzie Ragland, 27, of Gordonsville grabbed a deputy around his neck and threw the deputy on the ground.

Consequently, Ragland was tasered and placed in handcuffs. As additional deputies, Fredericksburg Police Officers and Virginia State Police rushed to the aid of the two deputies, three additional suspects were taken into custody and charged with the following crimes:

• Jamie Morris: misdemeanor obstruction and trespass;
• William Morris Jr.: misdemeanor trespass, obstruction and vandalism;
• Jamie Ragland: felony assault and battery on law enforcement and misdemeanor obstruction;
• William Morris Sr., 57 of Dyke: misdemeanor obstruction;
• Monica Morris, 45, of Gordonsville: misdemeanor obstruction.

All five individuals were released by the magistrate without having to post bond under condition they return to Stafford County General District Court on April 3 at 8:30 a.m.

The injured deputies required treatment at a local hospital.