Man Faces Assault Charge After Allegedly Kicking Police Officer

A Stroudsburg man is facing aggravated assault and other charges after police say he kicked an officer in the chest early Friday morning in downtown State College.

According to a criminal complaint, at about 2:15 a.m. State College police officers observed two men fighting in the middle of South Garner Street. One of the men, John M. Wathen, 23, came up behind the other, who was detained but not as of yet charged, and began choking him, police said. The two exchanged punches and the other man knocked Wathen unconscious.

One officer approached, Wathen, who was lying in the middle of the road, and attempted to provide medical care. After Wathen regained consciousness he reportedly walked to the other side of the road after being told to remain on the ground and after the officer identified himself.

Wathen was told to sit down on the curb so he could be evaluated but refused to and tried to push past officers while cursing, police said. He reportedly had mumbled speech, a red, flushed face and strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

Police attempted to handcuff Wathen but he allegedly resisted by tensing his arms and trying to stand up. He was reportedly advised he was under arrest and told to stop resisting several times. As two officers struggled to get Wathen under control, another arrived and attempted to restrain Wathen’s legs.

According to the complaint, Wathen struggled and eventually freed his right leg, then kicked the officer hard in the chest. Officers held Wathen down until a hobble was retrieved from a cruiser and applied to Wathen’s legs to immobilize him.

After he was placed under arrest and put in the back of a patrol vehicle, Wathen allegedly yelled about cutting out the officer’s liver. He also reportedly screamed profanities and incoherent statements. He was evaluated by EMS personnel and taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment.

Wathen was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and simple assault and summary counts of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

He was arraigned later Friday morning before District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker and was unable to post $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.