James Stafford Facing Drugs, Weapons, and DUI Charges

At 4:10 PM on April 7, 2024, a citizen called APD Dispatch and stated an adult male was sitting in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle and “shooting up.”  As officers were in route to the location, the caller stated the driver and the adult female passenger were alternating between being conscious and unconscious.

Officers located the running 2001 Buick Park Avenue sedan parked in a business parking lot on the 1500-block of Bragaw Street. After police blocked in the Buick, 31-year-old James A. Stafford exited the vehicle and began speaking to one of the officers.  The second officer looked inside the sedan where he could see a gun sticking out from under the center console.  Drugs and drug paraphernalia were also in plain view.  When the second officer notified the other officers of the weapon, Stafford took off running.  Stafford was quickly caught and escorted to the ground.  Stafford physically fought the handcuffing process; it took three officers to apply the cuffs.  One of the officers suffered visible injuries to his hand caused by Stafford’s fighting.  Medical attention was not required.

During their interaction with Stafford, police noticed signs of impairment.  Stafford was transported to the Anchorage Correctional Complex for processing.  After conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) the decision was made to charge Stafford with Driving under the Influence.  He provided a breath sample showing his breath alcohol content was zero.  Stafford’s blood was drawn once a search warrant had been obtained.

Stafford was remanded on his two existing felony warrants.  He was additionally charged with Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance V, Resisting, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession, DUI, Assault, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon IV – Possess while Intoxicated.

The female passenger was not charged.

Police are grateful to the citizen who witnessed the suspect’s behavior and immediately notified authorities.  That action led to officers removing a dangerous driver from the street.

APD Cases 24-10829 and 24-10833

For information on how to obtain the criminal history of any Alaskan, you may do so online via Court View on the State’s website.