Man charged with harassment, assault

Stephen James, 36, of Wasola, is scheduled to appear for a bond reduction hearing today in connection with a case in which he’s charged with harassment, unlawful use of a weapon (exhibiting), armed criminal action and domestic assault. 

According to the probable cause statement filed in the case by Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman, at 10:08 p.m. July 16, the OCSD dispatch office received a 911 emergency call from a person who reported that James was yelling threatening statements. The dispatcher heard yelling in the background, but before all of the information could be received, the call was disconnected. 

At 11 p.m. officers made contact with James. He was ordered to exit the house and did so without incident and was arrested, the report says. 

Witnesses at the scene reportedly told officers that James was waving a knife in the air in an agitated way yelling, “If you come near me, I will stab you,” and “I wish you were dead,” the report says. When one witness told him that she was going to call the police, James reportedly told her she would “stab the police” if she did call them.