Suspect Arrested in Ga. Police Station For Cussing
Oct. 17--A man who police say used foul language in the lobby of the Columbus police station appeared Wednesday in Recorder's Court and pleaded no contest to the accusation.
Larry C. Tanniehill Jr., 52, faced one count of disorderly conduct for the Monday outburst, police said. Hearing the case Wednesday, Senior Judge Michael Cielinski ordered Tanniehill pay a $250 fine for his comment, or spend 30 days in jail.
"I'm really just as sorry as I can possibly be," Tanniehill said. "I really don't have an excuse."
Sgt. Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick said she was in civilian clothes when she saw Tanniehill about 4 p.m. Monday in the lobby of the police station. Tanniehill said he'd waited about 30 to 45 minutes for a police report, and seen officers help three women ahead of him.
Upset about the wait, Tanniehill approached the information window before returning to his seat.
"As I turned around and sat down, I made a comment to myself," Tanniehill said. "I uttered a profane comment to myself."
Dent-Fitzpatrick heard the comment, approached Tanniehill and identified herself as an officer.
"I said he was in my house, and I would not accept that type of attitude," she said, adding that children were in the lobby at the time.
Tanniehill was taken to secure part of the police station, where he acted as if he didn't know what was happening, Dent-Fitzpatrick said.
Tanniehill was then ordered to appear in Recorder's Court on Wednesday.
"I was very apologetic about it," he said.
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