Combative man arrested after allegedly headbutting police officer - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

Combative man arrested after allegedly headbutting police officer

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UPDATE

Christian Herrera received a 30-day jail sentence followed up by four years of felony probation after pleading guilty to felony battery of a police officer. Herrera reached a plea agreement with Bonneville County prosecutors misdemeanor charges resisting arrest and distributing the peace were dropped.

ORIGIONAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man has been arrested for felony battery against an officer after an altercation Saturday.

Police reports show Idaho Falls Police Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Fanning Avenue for a disturbance about 5 a.m. The caller told dispatchers that a man was highly intoxicated and was standing in the road yelling and attempting to fight people.

When officers arrived at the scene they located the male and also several witnesses, according to an IFPD news release.

Witnesses reported the intoxicated man, 21-year-old Christian Herrera, had been drinking and became confrontational with the others. Witnesses reported that Herrera hit at least two people, and had attempted to leave in his vehicle before police officers arrived. Herrera reportedly struck another vehicle with his vehicle and sustained minor injuries from the accident, including cuts to his face. The witnesses decided they did not want to press charges but wanted Herrera to leave.

Officers asked Herrera to sit in the back of a patrol car to keep warm while they investigated what had occurred and determined how best to proceed. While speaking to officers, Herrera allegedly became agitated and began yelling and spitting at officers. Herrera’s behavior continued to escalate, and officers attempted to place him in handcuffs. Herrera continued to be aggressive toward officers and was placed under arrest for misdemeanor resisting and obstructing.

Herrera was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for a jail clearance due to minor injuries sustained prior to police arrival and his intoxicated state. While at EIRMC, Herrera continued to yell and swear at medical staff. EIRMC staff and police asked Herrera to quiet down because there were children in the ER, but Herrera continued. EIRMC staff cleared Herrera to be taken to jail and asked that police remove Herrera from the premises due to the disturbance he was causing. Herrera was also arrested for misdemeanor disturbing the peace.

Herrera continued to resist and fight with officers as they exited EIRMC. Two officers had to physically carry Herrera to a patrol vehicle where Herrera refused to get into the vehicle, pushing against officers. Herrera was placed in leg restraints to prevent him from continuing to fight with officers and risking injury to himself and the officers. While officers were attempting to place Herrera in a patrol vehicle, Herrera allegedly headbutted an IFPD Officer in the face. He was charged with felony battery of an officer.

Officers were eventually able to get him in a patrol vehicle and he was taken to Bonneville County Jail. Bail was set at $16,000.

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