KINGWOOD — A Tunnelton man is charged with injuring two deputies a day after being placed on probation.
Duane Alan Rhodes, 31, is charged with three counts of malicious assault of a government employee or healthcare provider. He was in the Tygart Valley Regional jail Monday in lieu of $100,000 bond.
According to a criminal complaint by Preston Sheriff’s Lt. T.E. Mitter:
On Saturday Mitter saw Rhodes on W.Va. 26 in Tunnelton. He was barefoot, wrapped in a blanket, walking into traffic, complaining he was cold, said he didn’t know his name and started defecating as he talked to the officer.
Rhodes became agitated and Mitter held him until Cpl. J.C. Farling arrived. Rhodes escaped from Mitter and grabbed the handcuffs. Mitter used a taser on Rhodes, who fell to the ground and ripped the leads from his chest. He struck and kicked the deputies repeatedly, pushing Farling against Mitter’s cruiser.
Farling opened the cruiser door and released K-9 Sampson, who bit Rhodes on the leg. Rhodes kicked the dog in the head, and he was told to release Rhodes to avoid injury. Mitter restrained Rhodes’ legs with his dog leash. When medical personnel arrived, he was put into a body restraint bag, which he opened.
State Police Cpl. D.W. Simmons held Rhodes’ head in the ambulance to prevent him from spitting on EMS personnel. Mitter had a fractured hand and Farling a sprained hand.
According to Preston Magistrate Court records, on the previous day Rhodes pleaded to possession of a controlled substance and was given one year probation in lieu of 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $172.50 and attend Community Corrections.
Follow The Dominion Post on Twitter @DominionPostWV. Email Kathy Plum: kplum@dominionpost.com.
