Gardnerville man faces trial in battery charges

A Gardnerville man described as a threat to himself and society by prosecutors is denying five counts of battery and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and K-9.

Thomas James Meagher, 24, faces an Aug. 8 trial on charges of battery with a deadly weapon, battery by a probationer, resisting arrest while armed and trying to kill a police K-9 in Douglas County District Court. 

Meagher is in custody on probation and parole violations, in addition to $225,000 bail. 

According to court documents, Meagher was taken into custody Dec. 18, 2021, after a traffic stop at Highway 395 and Ironwood Drive, where he allegedly came out of the passenger’s seat of the vehicle wielding a knife and threatening and attempting to injure himself, the K-9 and ultimately cutting a deputy on the arm. 

Attempts to restrain Meagher had been made with a stun gun and shotgun beanbag rounds, but Meagher continued to walk away from law enforcement. 

When the K-9 was released, Meagher allegedly tried to stab the dog before being hit by a stun gun and immobilizing him long enough for deputies to grab him. During the struggle, Meagher stabbed a deputy in the arm before being fully restrained. 

During the Dec. 18 altercation, Meagher was on probation for fighting with deputies on Oct. 25, 2021 when he was found hanging from the rafters of his home. When deputies tried to cut him down, he struck one of the officers. 

At this time, he was on a deferred sentence in connection to an Aug. 28, 2018, assault on his mother. 

According to the sheriff’s office, Meagher has made several 911 calls telling dispatchers he wanted deputies to kill him.