Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 16, 1993                   TAG: 9306160064
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JUDGE PUTS SECURITY GUARD IN JAIL FOR NIGHTSTICK ATTACK

Melvin "Butch" Spangler, who has worked as a security guard for years despite a criminal record and a history of excessive-force complaints, was sent to jail after a judge convicted him of unlawful wounding.

Although Spangler, 39, has been charged with assault before, this was his first conviction in what prosecutors say is a pattern of complaints against Valley K-9 Security Inc.

Similar allegations were raised in three lawsuits filed within the past week in Roanoke Circuit Court.

Judge Diane Strickland ruled that Spangler used excessive force when he swung his nightstick to break up a fight outside Valley Country on Salem Turnpike the night of Dec. 5.

Strickland noted that Spangler chose to use a weapon after security guards and an off-duty police officer had the victim outnumbered.

Greg Ragan, who testified earlier that Spangler attacked him after ordering him to leave the bar, was cut in the ear during the scuffle in the bar's parking lot.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mac Doubles said the felony conviction should prevent Spangler from working as a security guard - a key concern given his record.

"There seem to be an inordinate number of complaints" of excessive force involving Valley K-9, Doubles said.

Last month, Spangler testified that he runs the security firm. But at Tuesday's sentencing hearing, he said he has dropped his duties as a security guard and now trains dogs and handles administrative tasks for the firm.

According to the state Department of Commerce, which regulates security guards, Spangler was denied registration in 1989.

State officials cited his criminal record, which includes a 1981 conviction on a drug charge. Although Spangler's civil rights were reinstated following that conviction, he has also been charged with assault in connection with his work as a security guard.

One of those charges was cited in lawsuits filed last week. James Lynch, who says Spangler assaulted him two years ago in a racially charged encounter at a Roanoke apartment complex, has sued both Valley K-9 and the real estate company that hired Spangler to provide security at the apartments.

The lawsuits claim Lynch was at Caru Apartments putting up fliers for a sports camp when Spangler assaulted him, made racial slurs and threatened him with a firearm. At the time, the lawsuits allege, Spangler was not licensed by the state to carry a gun as a security guard.

In that case, Spangler was convicted of assault but later had the result reversed on appeal.

Although Valley K-9 is licensed with the state, it would be a misdemeanor for someone to work with the firm as a guard without state registration.

Doubles said Spangler was not charged with that offense, a misdemeanor, because he faced more serious charges.