Birthday celebration leads to arrest

A local man is facing charges after a night of celebrating a birthday takes an unfortunate turn.

According to Farmington Police Chief Rick Baker, a 21-year old Farmington man could be charged with assault on a law enforcement officer following an altercation at a downtown bar on Feb. 22.

The report states the Farmington Fire Department requested the assistance of the Farmington Police Department around 7:30 p.m. for an assault victim with injuries.

Officers made contact with one of the people involved in the assault upon arrival, Baker said, and noted an individual bleeding from his nose who appeared to be “extremely intoxicated.” At about that time, emergency personnel from the St. Francois County Ambulance District arrived and began treating the individual for his wounds.

According to the report, the officers spoke with the bartender while the individual was being treated. According to the bartender, the individual was celebrating his 21st birthday and asked to be served.

“Due to his intoxication level, the bartender denied to serve him and told him he needed to get a ride to go home,” Baker said. “(The individual) became angry and agitated with the bartender.”

Another patron at the bar observed the exchange between the bartender and the individual, attempting to protect the bartender. At that point, the two patrons got into a physical altercation and the other patron left the bar before emergency personnel arrived.

The injured individual was transported by ambulance to Parkland Health Center in Farmington. An officer from the Farmington Police Department followed the ambulance to the hospital.

The report states the individual assaulted EMS personnel while being transported to the emergency room. When a police officer arrived at the hospital, he noted the individual had kicked the emergency worker in the head.

Once in the emergency room, the individual assaulted the police officer in the exam room while waiting for treatment.

Baker said after being treated at the hospital, the individual was placed in the St. Francois County Jail. The department is seeking charges for assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $12,500.