Local man assaults police

POLSON — A Polson man was found guilty of  two counts of threats and improper influence in official and political matters, both felonies, and three counts of assault with bodily fluids, all misdemeanors.

According to court records, on March 31, Polson police officers were dispatched to an apartment in Polson to respond to a disturbance. 

When they arrived at the apartment the officers found the defendant, Jeremy Rice,  who appeared to be intoxicated.

The defendant repeatedly asked the officers to handcuff him and eventually become combative with the officers according to court documents. 

Officers Devon McCrea and Clint Cottle eventually placed the defendant under arrest, and Officer McCrea transported the defendant to the Lake County jail.

During the transport the defendant slammed his head against the partition in Officer McCrea’s car, opening a cut on his forehead. Because of the defendant’s ongoing agitation, Officer McCrea asked for detention staff to meet her at the parking lot with an emergency restraint chair.  

As Detention Officer John Todd was assisting the defendant out of the car, the defendant cursed at him and spit blood on Officer Todd’s face. The defendant was secured in the chair and placed in the jail.

Court documents state that  after the defendant was jailed, Detention Officers Todd, Lanny VanMeter and Joel Shearer were removing the defendant from the restraint chair for a five-minute break. While they were removing him, the defendant spit on all three officers.

In addition, the defendant stated to Officers Todd and Shearer that he was going to shoot them when he was released from jail according to court documents . The defendant explained in some detail that he had sniper training, that he knew where Officer Todd lived, and that he could shoot Officer Todd in the chest before Officer Todd even knew the defendant was around. 

Based on his prior knowledge of the defendant, Officer Todd was concerned for his own safety as well as the safety of his family.

Rice  was sentenced to 10 days in LCJ with 6 already served. 

The court commited the defendant to DOC for 5 years on each count to run concurrent and all time suspended except 10 days LCJ. All conditions in plea agreement and recommendations by the probation office. Defendant was also asked to apologize to the victims.