On Thursday evening, Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader released a statement to local media saying that Lookout Mountain District Attorney Clay Fuller met with Sheriff Schrader and Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson and said that the investigation involving Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen and a Kentucky truck driver should be investigated by an agency outside the judicial circuit.

The investigation centers around an altercation between Commissioner Allen and William Wilson, a cattle hauler, who alleges that Commissioner Allen physically assaulted and threatened him. Wilson and his wife were in Chattooga County to pick up a load of cattle from William Mitchell’s farm back on March 3rd. Due to the narrow nature of Little Sand Mountain Road, Wilson stated he had to temporarily block the road to back his truck into the farm. Commissioner Allen, who was also traveling on the road, reportedly took issue with the blockage, leading to the confrontation. Wilson alleges that Allen grabbed his shirt and made threats, nearly pulling him from his truck. The Commissioner’s account alleges that the driver created a dangerous situation.

Originally, Sheriff Schrader had recused his office from investigation and asked neighboring Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson to investigate.  Now, the investigation into the incident will be handled by the GBI Field Office in Calhoun.

Sheriff Schrader released the following statement on Thursday: