By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
MERRILL – A man facing charges related to a high-speed pursuit that took place in Lincoln County last year pleaded not guilty to all counts, according to court records.
James J. Gallup, 54, of La Crosse, was charged with seven felony counts after allegedly falsely identifying himself during a traffic stop in Tomahawk, spraying a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy with a substance identified by the Sheriff’s Office as “an unknown aerosol substance, believed to either be bear spray or a highly concentrated pepper spray” during the traffic stop and fleeing the scene on Hwy. 51 southbound on Oct. 28, 2021.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Gallup reached speeds of up to 95 MPH and continued southbound at speeds of up to 70 MPH after tire deflation devices had been deployed and all four tires had been deflated.
The Sheriff’s Office said Gallup turned westbound on Lincoln Dr. and proceeded to the dead end east of County Hwy. JJ in the Town of Merrill, where the vehicle became disabled in the yard of a private residence.
While four pursuing deputies attempted to take Gallup into custody, Gallup allegedly sprayed one of the deputies with the aerosol substance, incapacitating him.
“The three remaining deputies were able to take the suspect into custody just as the vehicle he’d been driving started on fire and became fully engulfed in flames,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Merrill Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, and local EMS units assisted the incapacitated deputies.
Gallup was charged with seven felony counts, including two counts of battery or threat to a law enforcement officer, two counts of intent/use of oleoresin device on an officer, misappropriating identification information to avoid a felony, fleeing, and first degree recklessly endangering safety.
Gallup appeared in Lincoln County court on Monday, Feb. 21. Gallup’s preliminary hearing was waived, and Judge Jay R. Tlusty found enough evidence for the case to move forward, according to court records.
Gallup pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Gallup is scheduled to appear in court on March 22 for a status conference.