Suspect was covered in cigarette ashes
Shoppers saw more than merchandise at The Shoppes at Banks Crossing as a female flasher made her way through several businesses recently.
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Tuesday, August 15, after reports of a suspicious person who was walking around “exposing her body to the public.” The woman was wearing a skirt and shirt and was barefoot, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. The deputy who responded noted she was was “covered from her face to her feet in cigarette ashes”. When the deputy asked the woman her name she said she was “protected by the Lord” and “under God’s light”. The woman, who was later identified as 47-year-old Laura Ann Schmid Ledford of Weaverville, North Carolina, then raised her shirt and exposed her bare chest to the deputy as the officer again asked for her name.
“The deputy then attempted to detain the female who began to resist and fight the deputy,” the Sheriff’s Office says. “After a short struggle, the deputy successfully restrained Ledford who continued to scream, kick and fight the deputy as she was escorted to the rear of the patrol unit.” The Sheriff’s Office says Ledford kicked the deputy as the officer was attempting to place her into the rear of the patrol vehicle. The deputy suffered a superficial injury.
Banks County EMS was called to the scene to evaluate Ledford due to the concern over her mental and physical wellbeing. She was cleared by medical personnel on scene and transported to the Banks County Detention Center.
Ledford is charged with public indecency, obstruction and simple battery of a law enforcement officer.
