KANE — A Bradford man is facing criminal charges after allegedly fighting with police around closing time outside The Lighter Side bar in Bradford.
Robert M. Johnson, 31, of 409 Derrick Road, was arraigned early Saturday morning before District Judge David Engman on charges of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; simple assault and resisting arrest, both second-degree misdemeanors; two counts of disorderly conduct, both third-degree misdemeanors; and public drunkenness, a summary charge, court records stated.
According to court records, multiple Bradford City police officers had dealt with Johnson, who was “yelling in the street and engaged in a disturbance spilling out from a fight with a patron from Players Bar.” Police told him at that time to stop yelling.
A few minutes later, at 2:18 a.m., Officer Matthew Gustin saw a large group of people outside The Lighter Side, where the officer spotted Johnson “pointing at officers and yelling again,” court records read.
As Johnson had already been warned, Gustin walked across Barbour Street to arrest him for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct; when Gustin told Johnson he was under arrest, Johnson allegedly replied, “No.” Gustin told him again and grabbed Johnson’s wrist; Johnson pulled away and threw a punch at Gustin, grazing the right side of his head, court records stated.
It allegedly took several officers to get Johnson into custody.
According to court records, Gustin pushed Johnson back against the building, and Officer Seth Shepard began to wrestle Johnson. Sgt. Butch Bartlett announced he was going to use a Taser, then he used it, as Johnson was allegedly continuing to resist arrest. Officer Clayton Yohe suffered an abrasion to his left forearm during the scuffle.
After Johnson was handcuffed, he was taken to the police vehicle, where Gustin asked him if he had a weapon; Johnson said no, but Gustin found a pocket knife in his rear right pocket, court records stated.
Johnson was committed to McKean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, and he is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Thursday.
