Ex-cop arrested after SWAT standoff in Bethlehem

A former Gwinnett County police officer was arrested for the second time in a month Friday after an hourslong SWAT standoff at his home in Bethlehem, authorities said.

Police attempted to serve a warrant at a home on Flat Run Drive about 1 p.m. when the man, identified as 43-year-old Justin Bouchillon, refused to come out, Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said.

Officers were there to arrest Bouchillon for allegedly violating a protective order related to a domestic incident that occurred late last month at his wife’s job in Athens, authorities said.

Bouchillon, who worked for the Gwinnett County Police Department for 19 years, resigned after Athens police charged him with simple battery and simple assault June 28, records show.

According to an Athens-Clarke County police report, Bouchillon went to his wife’s job and allegedly shouted at her and shoved her in front of her coworkers. Officers said the two were fighting about the fate of an investment account that was in her name.

Gwinnett police said Bouchillon was home alone Friday when they arrived to arrest him and that he refused to answer the door. Precautions were taken because officers believed the former cop was armed, Pihera said.

“They knew that he was armed so they wanted to make sure that not only they were safe, but the person we were looking for — the former officer — was safe, too,” Pihera told Channel 2 Action News.

At some point during the standoff, Bouchillon was able to leave his home. He was arrested about 4 p.m. after returning to his yard, according to Channel 2.