At District Judge Jan Vislosky’s court on Tuesday afternoon, a young man accused of assaulting a Falls Township police officer had some charges dropped, others reduced and his attorney told the judge his client would be applying to the county’s Youthful Offender Program.
An 18-year-old Lower Southampton man who had several drug charges and a count of reckless endangering another person dropped in exchange for a preliminary hearing waiver. A count of intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person who is not registered was reduced to a lesser charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. Charges of felony aggravated assault, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, false identity to law enforcement and hindering apprehension will be forwarded to county court in Doylestown for a trial.
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If the man is accepted to the Youthful Offender Program his attorney said the 18-year-old would be applying to, he would be eligible to to take part in structured rehabilitation and education program in place of jail time for first-time offenders under the age of 24, who want a clean record. The program is similar to those offered to juveniles who are convicted of certain crimes.
According to police, the man ran after officers busted up an underage drinking part on Danbury Road in late February.
When a female officer caught up with the man and two others, she asked them to sit on a curb, police said. As the man sat down, the backpack he was wearing made a clanking sound.
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The 18-year-old pulled a 40-ounce beer out of the bag. After several request, the man insisted the bag was empty, but the officer did not believe him, police said.
An inspection of the backpack uncovered what police say was marijuana.
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When a female patrol officer went to handcuff the man, he yelled and pushed her backward, police said. As she lay of the ground after striking her head, the suspect just stood over her before fleeing, court documents state.
A chase ensued and officers caught the 220 pound former Neshaminy High School football player in the area of Standwood and Hanford roads, police said.
The man remains free on 10 percent of $50,000 bail.
