Update: John Fanning Jailed on Charges of Assault, Cruelty to Children

Updated 2:51 p.m., Oct. 5, 2012

John Fanning, son of former Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on Friday morning (Oct. 5) on charges that include aggravated assault and cruelty to children (third degree), records show.

Fanning, already facing a federal prison sentence for bribery and drug trafficking charges, is being held without bond on the assault charge, as well as a charge of false imprisonment.

Fanning, with a listed address of Bold Springs Road in Dacula, was booked into the jail at 11:28 a.m., records show.

FOX5 News reported that Fanning, 34, showed up at his estranged wife's house around 11 a.m. Friday, violating her protection order against him. A spokesperson for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office said Fanning got into an altercation with her before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement reportedly found Fanning in the woods near the home and was taken into custody.

Also, Gwinnett Court records show that Fanning faces previous charges of battery, cruelty to children and obstructing a 911 call. After an Oct. 3 court hearing, the case is still open and a trial in State Court is still possible on the previous charges.

The federal charges against Fanning and Lasseter stem from an FBI sting operation in 2011. Lasseter has pleaded guilty to bribery charges and also faces a prison term.

Fanning is a former Gwinnett Zoning Board of Appeals member, appointed by his mother in 2010.

This information was obtained from the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions can be directed to steve.burns@patch.com