Assault On Police Officer Leads To Felony Charge
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WATER VALLEY – A Water Valley woman is facing felony charges after striking a police officer in the face on Dec. 27. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported that Jessica St. Romain was charged with assault on a police officer and misuse of 911. Mangrum explained that officers responded to St. Romain’s resident on Greer Drive after she allegedly dialed 911 multiple times and would only tell dispatchers an address.
“She gave different addresses each time, but the dispatchers did a great job of tracking the number down so officers could try to figure out what was going on,” Mangrum told the Herald.
The dispatchers were able to link the St. Romain’s number to previous 911 calls that had been logged, and determined it was St. Romain. Officers were then dispatched to her residence on Greer Drive to see if there was an actual emergency requiring police, fire or medical assistance. The chief reported St. Romain admitted to dialing 911 and there was no emergency.
“As officers attempted to take her into custody, she punched one of them in the face,” Mangrum said.
St. Romain was quickly subdued and booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center. Bond was set at $20,000.
Mangrum said the officer’s nose was broken and the charges could be upgraded to aggravated assault on a police officer.
“The complete medical diagnosis will ultimately determine if the charges will be upgraded when we present the case to the grand jury,” the chief added.
Ironically, St. Romain was also arrested on Christmas Eve by Mangrum after he observed her inside the fence at the police department, an area that is off-limits to citizens.
“We had warned her several times already, this area is clearly marked for authorized personnel only,” Mangrum explained.
“She told me she was investigating strange noises. When I asked her if she called 911, she said ‘no’, she is a better investigator,” the chief added.
St. Romain was combative when the chief took her into custody, and was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest.
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• Daron Thompson, 52, of Boyd Street was arrested for DUI 2nd after running into a ditch on South Main. Officers responded and detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage, prompting a DUI investigation.
“Officers determined the driver was well over the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle,” Mangrum said. “His blood-alcohol content was two times the minimum for a DUI.”
• Crystal Jones, 39, of Eckford Street was arrested for DUI 1st on Dec. 20. Officers stopped Jones on North Main for speeding and detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage, prompting a DUI investigation that led to the arrest.
• Officers were working on an arrest warrant for a suspect wanted for shoplifting at the Chevron Store on Central Street. The chief reported the shoplifting incident occurred on Christmas Day when the suspect attempted to steal a case of Budweiser and two cases of Corona.
