PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Sedrick Altheimer, a Black newspaper carrier who is at the center of Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer's criminal trial, testified Dec. 6.
Troyer faces two misdemeanor charges after he allegedly claimed on an officer line to 911 dispatch that Altheimer threatened to kill him in January 2021.
On the witness stand, Altheimer recounted the events from the night of Jan. 27, working through his emotions at times.
Altheimer said that he noticed a white SUV following him along his route about 1:40 a.m.
After spotting the SUV three times, Altheimer said he walked up to the car after delivering a paper. Altheimer said he asked Troyer, who was driving, why he was following him, if he was a cop and if it was because he was Black.
Altheimer said Troyer didn’t answer his questions. Troyer remained in his car and “accused me of being a porch pirate,” Altheimer said.
When asked by Troyer’s attorney, Anne Bremner, how the sheriff would have known Altheimer was a newspaper carrier, Altheimer said he didn’t know. Altheimer also said Troyer never brought up race, outside of calling him a “porch pirate.”
After Troyer told Altheimer he “had four cars coming,” Altheimer said he walked back to his car, “stepped on the gas,” and continued his route.
Altheimer delivered two more newspapers, saw Troyer’s car again and they came to a stop. Altheimer said he started taking pictures of Troyer’s car and license plate. Neither Altheimer or Troyer got out of their cars until officers showed up, Altheimer said. Altheimer estimated police arrived seven minutes later.
In his testimony, Altheimer said he never threatened Troyer verbally or physically, and he never displayed a weapon.
“I want fair justice,” Altheimer said. “I feel he should be held accountable for wasting resources and lying.”
The trial is now in its eighth day.
On Monday, SouthSound 911 Dispatcher Leah Heiberg, Darren Steiner, who owns the newspaper distribution company that contracts newspaper carrier Sedrick Altheimer, and Tacoma Police Officer Zachary Hobbs, who spoke with Troyer at the scene, testified.
On Jan. 27, 2021, Troyer called 911 on a line used by law enforcement to gather routine information and requests and said that he “caught” Altheimer in his driveway and “he just threatened to kill me,” according to probable cause documents.
Troyer retracted those statements when police arrived.
Troyer faces one charge of false reporting and one charge of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. Troyer pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2021.
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