Moats: This call could've ended with someone killed

James Proctor

​A sibling dispute took a dangerous turn when one brother threatened another's life by text message yesterday.
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 James Proctor, 49, was booked into the Vigo County Jail shortly after midnight, charged with criminal recklessness, criminal confinement, criminal mischief and communication harassment. 
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According to Vigo County Chief Deputy John Moats, “this is one of those calls that could have easily ended with someone being injured if not killed”.

Vigo County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to 6720 East Gross Drive in reference to the harassment report in the southern part of the county.

Reportedly,  deputies spoke with John Proctor who advised his brother James Proctor, who happens to be his next door neighbor and shares a common driveway with, was sending him threatening text messages. While at the scene, the suspect was heard cutting a tree down.

"While deputies were gathering information, from John Proctor, they heard what they thought was a chainsaw in the distance. A short time later they saw a flash from the power lines and heard a power transformer explode. Deputies drove a short distance and found a tree had been cut and fallen across the roadway, leading to the victim’s residence. They also discovered the tree had live power lines tangled within it," Moats explained.

This prevented deputies from leaving the scene for two hours while Duke Energy crews worked on the downed power lines. A search of the area was conducted but deputies were unable to find who was responsible for cutting the tree, Moats said.

According to the report, deputies were called back to the same residence due to the victim, John Proctor, reportedly receiving more threatening messages from his brother. As deputies arrived they were met by the Suspect, James Proctor, sitting in a van, blocking the shared driveway. 
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Deputies approached Proctor to discuss the problem and noticed he had a long gun in the passenger seat of his vehicle. The weapon was secured and was later found to be a loaded 12 gauge shotgun.

"Deputies asked Proctor why he was blocking the driveway and he kept repeating that he was fed up. During this time Proctor also advised he had cut down the tree earlier because his brother cut his down in the past," Moats said.

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