ARLINGTON — A 19-year-old man faces felony assault charges after he reportedly bit a corrections officer and threatened to kill jail staff and their families.
The man, whose hometown was not available, initially was detained Saturday at the Marysville city jail for investigation of disorderly conduct and being a minor in possession of alcohol — two misdemeanor offenses.
His alleged misbehavior escalated, though, landing him a trip to an Arlington hospital and then to the county jail before nightfall.
The case is being investigated by Arlington police.
The trouble started while the man was in the booking area at the Marysville jail, Arlington city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said. At some point, he took a blood-alcohol test and blew a .265.
The man then either passed out and fell off the bench, or pretended to fall off the bench and closed his eyes. It wasn’t clear which, Banfield said.
Jail staff summoned medical crews, who determined the man should be checked out at the hospital.
The man fought with crews as they loaded him into the emergency vehicle, Banfield said. Police believe he purposely banged his head on the center divider, suffering a one-inch gash.
The man was taken to Cascade Valley Hospital.
He then was restrained and began threatening to kill and shoot the custody officers and their families, Banfield said.
After he got stitches, the man was getting ready to be taken back to city jail when he allegedly bit one of the Marysville corrections officers. The bite broke the skin, Banfield said.
Arlington police were summoned to the assault call at the hospital just before 10 a.m.
Neither the man nor the custody staff were seriously injured.
The man was booked into Snohomish County Jail in Everett for investigation of custodial assault, harassment and the original misdemeanor citations.
He was released on bond late Sunday afternoon.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com
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