Police Say Man Fought Officers, Paramedics After Being Found Passed Out on Sidewalk

A Bellefonte man is facing assault charges after he allegedly fought and spit on a State College police officer and paramedics.

According to a criminal complaint, at about 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, State College Police responded to a report of a man passed out on the 100 block of South Fraser Street. An officer said he found a man, later identified as James V. Tegethoff sleeping on the ground and that Tegethoff had a strong odor of alcohol.

Tegethoff reportedly only responded to a sternal rub, and an ambulance was called to the scene. Two officers and two paramedics attempted to put Tegethoff on a stretcher, but Tegethoff resisted and began fighting, according to the complaint.

He allegedly kicked, scratched and spit on an officer during the striggle and spit on both paramedics. Police said Tegethoff had to be strapped to a stretcher, handcuffed and sedated, and that he continued to fight after being put in an ambulance. He was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center and treated.

Tegethoff was charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault, three misdemeanor counts of simple assault, and three summary counts of harassment.

He was arraigned on Saturday afternoon before District Judge Thomas Jordan and bail was set at 10 percent of $7,500. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.