Taser Employed During Arrest

On the afternoon of January 1st, rangers conducted a plainclothes operation to deter disorderly conduct in park areas around Ridgeland, Mississippi. The focus was on problems of public sexual misconduct, solicitation and indecent exposure which were known to be occurring at several park sites and on park trails. During the operation, rangers Patrick Gagnon and James Purcell encountered Joseph Crisler of Ridgeland engaged in an illegal activity. Purcell was compelled to use his taser on Crisler while the rangers were attempting to arrest him. Neither Crisler nor the rangers involved were injured during the incident.