On the evening of January 18, 2024, Sulphur Springs Police Officers responded to a disturbance at the Sundance Club, located at Shannon Rd E, within the premises of the Red Roof Inn. The incident unfolded around 9:58 pm when officers were alerted to an active disturbance in the parking lot.
Upon arrival, officers identified 46-year-old Joseph Noel as the individual involved in the disturbance. Witnesses reported that Noel, appearing intoxicated and highly agitated, had threatened individuals in the parking lot. He reportedly threw a beer bottle towards someone, narrowly missing the intended target but causing approximately $300 in damage to a 2013 Jeep Wrangler's back side passenger window.
Witnesses further informed the police that Noel had returned to the bar location multiple times, indicating an ongoing disturbance. When an Officer arrived, witnesses directed attention to a hotel room identified as #426, where Noel was visible through open curtains.
Officers proceeded to room #426, and upon knocking, Audra Noel, the suspect's spouse, opened the door, allowing officers entry. Audra Noel mentioned that Joseph was in the bathroom. An Officer made contact with the suspect, who refused to exit the bathroom, becoming argumentative and agitated.
In an effort to identify and escort the suspect out of the bathroom for safety reasons, officers attempted to intervene. However, Noel resisted detention by pushing and pulling away, causing an officer to lose balance. In response, an officer deployed a taser to gain control of the situation.
Following the taser deployment, Joseph Noel was placed in double locked handcuffs, and an EMS unit was summoned to treat and remove the taser prongs. Noel was subsequently transported to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where he was booked on charges of criminal mischief (damage exceeding $100 but less than $750) and resisting arrest.
