SCRANTON — A Clarks Summit man punched a police officer in the head when he responded to the report of a fight in the middle of Mulberry Street near Goodfellas Pizza just after midnight on Saturday.
Jacob Joseph Gentile, 20, of 52 Ivywood Drive, is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
According to the criminal complaint:
When Officer Matthew Conforti arrived at the scene, he found about 25 people in the roadway and on the sidewalk in front of the pizza and beer shop at 1212 Mulberry St. and requested more officers to be dispatched to the scene.
Conforti spotted Gentile on top of a man later identified as Phoenix Woodard.
Conforti ran toward the sidewalk to stop the assault, commanding Gentile to stop fighting, but he refused. Conforti noted Woodard was unconscious and limp as Gentile continued punching him in the head and face.
Conforti tackled Gentile and both men landed on the sidewalk.
A Goodfellas security guard yelled for Gentile to stop fighting, yelling, “That’s a cop.”
Gentile then punched Conforti in the back of his head and, in an effort to get him under control, Conforti punched Gentile in the face.
Gentile was able to slip from Conforti’s grasp for a short period, before Conforti took hold of one his arms and forced him to the ground.
Once on the ground, Gentile continued to resist police and attempted to kick Conforti.
Officers noted Gentile smelled of alcohol and had red, watery eyes and slurred speech.
Once on the ground, Gentile was given multiple commands to roll onto his stomach but refused before officers were able to force him to his stomach and handcuff him.
When Gentile heard officers calling for medical attention for Woodard, he yelled an obscenity toward the injured man and spit toward him.
Emergency medical responders evaluated Woodard and determined he had suffered a seizure during the fight and then regained consciousness. They believed he was suffering from a concussion.
Woodard told police he didn’t remember what happened.
Officers noted Woodard had blood on his face, a swollen mouth, swollen eyes and severe swelling to his upper cheek.
He was transported to a hospital via ambulance.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on April 29 before District Judge George Seig.