A Washington C.H. man has been indicted by a Fayette County grand jury on four criminal charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer and endangering a 6-month-old child.
Brock N. Vernon, 28, of 1224 S. Hinde St., Apt. B, is facing a fourth-degree felony assault charge, a fourth-degree felony disrupting public service charge, a first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence charge, and a first-degree misdemeanor endangering children charge.
At his Dec. 31 arraignment hearing in Fayette County Common Pleas Court, Vernon filed an affidavit of indigence setting forth assets, earnings and expenses. The court found Vernon was entitled to the appointment of counsel, and appointed Thomas J.C. Arrington as the attorney.
Vernon’s jury trial is set for March 14.
On Dec. 19, officers were dispatched to 1224 S. Hinde St., Apt. B, in reference to a domestic dispute, according to reports. Officers spoke with the alleged female victim and the alleged offender, identified as Vernon.
After hearing both sides of the story, officers attempted to take Vernon into custody for domestic violence. Police said Vernon was holding the couple’s 6-month-old child, and he was ordered to give the baby to the woman or set him down.
Vernon allegedly did not comply, started backing up toward a corner of the living room and wrapped both of his arms around the baby. He sat on the couch, was given another command to give the child to the woman, but once again he refused, reports said.
Two officers then grabbed Vernon’s arms to pry them apart in order for another officer to retrieve the child safely. The child was handed over to the alleged victim.
During this time, Vernon was reportedly still resisting arrest, and he punched one of the officers in the side of the face near his eye. Officers then gave him “compliance strikes to the thigh and the upper back muscles,” reports said. He finally placed his hands behind his back and was handcuffed.
Once outside, Vernon “became dead weight,” and officers had to carry him to the cruiser, reports said.
Vernon is being held in the Fayette County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
