Charges: Drunk Man Tried To Choke Cop
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Duluth man has been charged after police say he attempted to choke a police officer while resisting arrest Monday night.
James Eugene Ferry, 22, is charged with assault of a police officer, obstruction of the legal process with force, disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer for an incident that occurred outside a residence on the 3400 block of Georgia Avenue North in Crystal, Minn.
According to the criminal complaint, a man called police to ask for assistance in controlling Ferry, who was belligerent and causing a scene after being told he couldn't drive home. The man had taken Ferry's car keys but was having difficulties controlling him.
An officer administered a preliminary breathalyzer test on Ferry, which revealed an alcohol concentration of .20. Ferry then told police he was from Duluth and didn't have any relatives or friends he could stay with in the area.
Police made a reservation for Ferry at a local detox center and told him they would transport him. Ferry then became angry and started thrashing around the backseat of the police squad, saying he didn't want to go to detox, according to the complaint.
Two officers tried to remove Ferry from the vehicle and place him in handcuffs but Ferry began kicking and pushing the officers, again stating he was not going to detox. Police say once they were able to remove Ferry from the vehicle, he placed his hands on one of the officers and attempted to choke him.
Assisting officers took Ferry down to the ground but his hand remained around the officer's neck. Police called for backup and several New Hope officers arrived on scene.
Two officers then used a Taser to control Ferry, after he resisted arrest, and placed him in handcuffs.
Ferry was transported to North Memorial Hospital for his injuries before being taken into custody at the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center.
