O'NEILL

ELKINS — A Randolph County man is behind bars after allegedly biting an Elkins police officer while being taken into custody.

Michael Thomas O’neill, 23, is charged with malicious assault on an officer. He is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $40,000 cash-only bond set by Randolph County Magistrate Tracy M. Harper.

According to the criminal complaint, Elkins Police Department Sgt. K. Shiflett, along with Patrolmen S. Davis and P. Marsh, were dispatched to Dent Street in reference to a male subject attempting to break into a residence on July 31.

Once on scene, police attempted to detain O’neill, who they described as being completely nude and “yelling about being Jesus,” the complaint states. O’neill began to resist officers and was taken to the ground. O’neill allegedly continued to strike officers with his feet and pull away after going to the ground.

O’neill attempted to grab Patrolman Davis’ service weapon multiple times, according to the complaint. While being escorted to a patrol unit, O’neill allegedly bit Patrolman Davis’ left finger. O’neill was “subsequently struck in the head in order for him to release the bite,” the complaint states.

O’neill continued to fight and kick officers while he was being placed in the police cruiser, according to the complaint. Patrolman Davis sustained a broken thumb on his right hand and a “large laceration to his left middle finger.” Davis was treated at Davis Medical Center.

According to the complaint, O’neill was also transported to DMC for injuries occurring during and prior to the incident. He was later taken to the TVRJ.

According to the homeowner where the incident occurred, O’neill attempted to break into the homeowner’s car after trying to get into his residence. In fear for his safety, the homeowner, who did not know O’neill, “retrieved a firearm in the chance the defendant made entry into the home,” the complaint states.