SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — The student body president at Umpqua Community College was arrested this week on charges related to a jailhouse scuffle that occurred three years ago in Springfield.
The Register-Guard newspaper reported that a warrant was issued for Kristapher Lee Yates in July 2013, but he was not taken into custody until police in Winston did so on Thursday.
Yates, 35, faces charges of assault, resisting arrest, assault of a public safety officer and interfering with a peace officer.
Yates is the student body president, studying pre-pharmacy, according to the college’s website. His biography on the site states he is a part of the recovery community of Douglas County.
“I find great joy in sharing my experience, strength and hope to help other alcoholics and addicts to recover,” the biography reads.
The charges are related to an incident that happened Feb. 8, 2012, when Yates was in the Springfield Municipal Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Yates allegedly became disorderly while in the jail and was being moved from one cell to another when he became physically combative toward a female corrections officer.
Springfield police said the woman, now 49, eventually had to undergo a total knee replacement. She had to leave her job at the jail and is working as the city’s volunteer coordinator.
It was only after the severity of the knee injury came to light that the district attorney decided to file more serious charges, Springfield Sgt. Rich Charboneau said.
Second-degree assault carries a mandatory minimum sentence of almost six years in prison.
Yates was booked into the Lane County Jail. He has a court appearance scheduled for April 30.
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