A 19-year-old man was arrested Thursday morning after causing a disturbance and fighting with police in a local courtroom, authorities said.
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The incident occurred around 10 a.m. at the district courthouse on New Falls Road in Bristol Township. District Judge Terry Hughes, a retired Bristol Township lawman, presides over the courthouse.
Bristol Township police were initially called to the courthouse and were quickly alerted to a disruptive situation in the courtroom, authorities said.
According to police, Wilkenton Charles Sanon, of Bristol Township, was observed yelling at Judge Hughes and disregarding orders to remain silent. Despite being warned that he could speak after the judge, Sanon continued to interrupt and raise his voice, police said.
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“At that time, officers advised Sanon that if he permits the judge to make his explanation, Sanon will have the opportunity to explain himself, but that he needed to stop yelling. For a short period of time, Sanon permitted Hughes to speak. Sanon then again began yelling at Hughes,” one of the responding officers said.
As officers attempted to detain Sanon, he resisted arrest, pulling away and swinging his arms and legs at them, police said.
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Efforts to subdue Sanon using a Taser in “drive stun” mode failed, and the altercation escalated with Sanon kicking at officers, police said.
One officer was eventually kicked in the knee, police said.
The officer suffered an injury that required medical attention, police said.
Sanon was eventually taken into custody following a struggle and after an officer successfully deployed a Taser with probes, police said.
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Sanon was handcuffed and led out of the courthouse to a waiting police vehicle.
“While being escorted to that vehicle, Sanon continued to attempt to pull away from me, telling me not to touch him. He also told me that I would have ‘bad luck’ cast upon me,” a responding officer said.
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Sanon was taken to Lower Bucks Hospital for removal of the Taser probes and treatment of minor injuries, police said.
During his time at the hospital, he continued to make threats, telling officers, “You’re going to die,” police said.
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Court records indicate that Sanon was initially in court to address traffic citations issued earlier this year.
Sanon was brought before District Judge Kevin Wagner at 1:45 p.m. on three counts of simple assault, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of disorderly conduct, a single count of terroristic threats, and a single count of resisting arrest. He was held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $1 million bail.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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