Man Charged After Biting EMS Employee and Resisting Arrest in Beaver Stadium, Police Say

A man who police say was highly intoxicated is accused of biting an emergency medical services employee and kicking at officers in Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Christian A. Swartwood, 19, of Lock Haven, smelled of alcohol and was unable to maintain his balance in section EH during Penn State’s game against Buffalo, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by university police.

When officers and medical personnel arrived to remove him on a stair chair, Swartwood became combative and bit an EMS employee’s right hand, causing an injury, police wrote.

Swartwood then began swinging his arms as officers attempted to place him in handcuffs and continuously kicked at police and EMS staff, occasionally making contact, according to the affidavit. He also damaged the EMS employee’s $150 sunglasses during the struggle, according to police.

He allegedly remained combative until he was sedated at the stadium EMS station.

Swartwood is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault of a designated individual, misdemeanor counts of simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and summary offenses of harassment, criminal mischief, public drunkenness and consumption of alcohol by a minor.

He was arraigned on Saturday night by District Judge Casey McClain, who set unsecured bail at $15,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.