CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A New Bethlehem man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
According to court documents, the sentencing date for 25-year-old Derek Shawn Lowers, of New Bethlehem, is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, in Clarion County Court of Common Pleas with President Judge James G. Arner presiding.
Lowers pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree misdemeanor Simple Assault and one count of second-degree misdemeanor Resisting Arrest on April 11, in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, three counts of second-degree felony Aggravated Assault and one count of summary Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting were dismissed.
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, New Bethlehem Police Sergeant Nicole Peck was sent to a residence on Wood Street regarding a 25-year-old male having a psychiatric incident.
When Sergeant Peck arrived at the scene, she identified the man as Derek Lowers. While she was talking with Lowers, he became violent and punched the walls. At this point, Clarion-based State troopers were called for assistance, the complaint states.
Although an alcohol beverage could be smelled on Lowers, he denied consuming alcohol. Lowers also tried to jump off the stair railing with a drop of about 20 to 25 feet. Sergeant Peck had to pull Lowers off the stair railing multiple times, according to the complaint.
When emergency medical service personnel arrived, Lowers complied, and he was handcuffed in the front to get into the ambulance. Once in the back of the ambulance, Lowers became aggressive with Sergeant Peck, continually grabbing her hand and wrists multiple times and would not follow verbal commands to let go. Lowers kicked Sergeant Peck, and as a result, he had to be restrained, the complaint states.
Officer Anderson and Trooper Allison arrived and assisted Sergeant Peck in restraining Lowers for EMS personnel in the ambulance. Lowers continued to try to remove the straps on his legs and kicking all officers involved, the complaint indicates.
At this point, Lowers was released and had to be physically removed from the ambulance and placed into Sergeant Peck’s patrol vehicle due to him not complying with the EMS personnel. Also, Lowers would not comply with entering the rear seat of Sergeant Peck’s patrol vehicle and had to be placed inside by Officer Anderson and Trooper Allison, according to the complaint.
When Lowers was then asked to step out and his handcuffs were placed behind his back, he resisted and had to be restrained and held down against the patrol vehicle. He was then placed in the rear of Sergeant Peck’s patrol vehicle to be taken to Clarion Hospital. Lowers then started to smash his head against the divider glass in the patrol vehicle about seven times until the officers arrived at the hospital, the complaint continues.
Lowers then resisted laying down in the hospital bed and tried to bite Trooper Allison’s hand. After Lowers was strapped to the hospital bed, he repeatedly spat on a nurse and also on Officer Anderson, the complaint states.
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