Bodycam provides broader view of Baldwin County arrest under GBI review

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bodycamera footage obtained by 41NBC show nearly 14 minutes surrounding a Baldwin County deputy’s arrest of a man, showing a broader view of the confrontation after a roughly 10-second clip was shared widely online Tuesday.

Trespassing call led to arrest

According to Baldwin County 911 audio, a store employee called about a man trespassing at the Family Store at 1561 Vinson Highway in Milledgeville around 9:50 p.m. Monday.

The two clips provided Tuesday total 13 minutes and 53 seconds. Their timestamps show the clips following the same encounter from Deputy Joseph Harker’s first contact with 58-year-old Calvin Brown through the aftermath of Brown being placed inside a patrol vehicle.

The footage shows the initial contact, Harker taking Brown to the ground, Harker striking Brown in the face, two bystanders helping separate them, Harker using a Taser and the moments after Brown’s arrest. The entire encounter lasted about seven minutes.

GBI conducting review

“We can confirm that the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate,” a GBI spokesperson told 41NBC Tuesday. “The preliminary review is active and ongoing.”

Dispatch records show Brown had been barred from the property through March 2, 2027.

The footage shows Brown speaking with Harker as the deputy checks his information. Harker’s incident report says Brown initially approached willingly and provided his name and date of birth.

After dispatch confirmed the trespass notice, Harker told Brown he was being arrested for criminal trespass. Harker wrote that Brown said he was not going to jail and tried to run.

Bodycam shows takedowns, strikes

The footage shows Harker grabbing Brown from behind and taking him to the ground. After the takedown, the footage becomes black for several seconds during an apparent struggle.

When the picture becomes visible again, Harker is on top of Brown and delivers several closed-hand strikes to Brown’s face. Harker wrote that Brown continued resisting and that the strikes were used in an attempt to gain compliance and complete the arrest.

Harker’s report says Brown bit him on the arm during the struggle. Harker wrote that the bite did not break his skin or leave a visible injury. A separate 911 call from an unidentified man reported that an officer was down on Vinson Highway. “Big, big fight,” the caller said. “You better get someone here fast.”

Bystanders help during struggle

The footage later shows Harker asking two bystanders for help. Brown’s actions are not visible at that moment, but Harker can be heard saying Brown was choking him. Harker wrote that Brown placed a hand around his throat and squeezed, restricting his breathing. The footage shows the two bystanders pull Brown away from Harker while repeatedly telling Brown to stop.

Moments later, the footage shows Harker suddenly moving backward and away from Brown. Harker wrote that Brown struck him in the chest with his knee during that portion of the struggle.

The footage then shows Harker using a Taser on Brown. Another deputy arrived and helped place Brown under arrest.

Harker can later be seen thanking the two bystanders and shaking their hands.

Charges filed as GBI review continues

Brown is charged with aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, felony obstruction and criminal trespass. The booking report says he was taken into custody at 10:06 p.m. Monday.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to 41NBC’s request for information by providing the incident and booking records, dispatch report, body-camera footage, 911 calls and other records connected to Brown. The sheriff’s office has not answered 41NBC’s question about whether Harker remains on duty.

The GBI says no additional information is available while its preliminary review continues.

Calvin Brown (Credit: Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office)