Staff Report

James Anderson Walters

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man was arrested for allegedly threatening people and driving under the influence.

James Anderson Walters, 68, 12198 N. Mariposa Drive, Syracuse, is charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class A misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated – enhancement, a level 6 felony.

On Nov. 15, a Syracuse Police officer responded to a road rage incident. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer saw Walters holding a piece of wood. The officer retrieved the wood from Walters and spoke with two people about the incident.

According to court documents, two people said they were driving to work when a vehicle in front of them slammed on their brakes and waved them to go around. One of the people said as he passed the vehicle, which was driven by Walters, he made a derogatory gesture toward Walters.

Walters then began following the vehicle the two people were in, swerving into oncoming traffic three times. When the two people arrived at their place of work, Walters exited his vehicle and retrieved a piece of wood from his trunk. He then started hitting the driver’s side window of the vehicle the two people were in.

Walters told the officer the two people cut him off and one of them made a derogatory gesture toward him. He admitted to following them and using a piece of wood to try and intimidate them. The officer noticed Walters was exhibiting signs of intoxication and Walters admitted to having consumed alcohol.

A certified test result from Walters for alcohol was 0.23% BAC.

Walters was previously convicted of OWI in Kosciusko County in January 2020.

Walters has already been arrested and released on bond. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Jan. 8, in Kosciusko Superior Court Two.