Police: After arrest, man defaced holding cell and harassed cops

Joseph Kelly, 24, facing several charges after public drunkenness arrest in Lansdale

LANSDALE >> Lansdale police say a 24-year-old Bucks County man wrote his name in blood on a holding cell wall and harassed cops after a public drunkenness arrest following an altercation at a borough bar.

Joseph M. Kelly, of the 200 block of Miller Drive in Holland, Pa., has been charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and institutional vandalism, as well as summary counts of public drunkenness and harassment, in connection with the alleged events of the night of March 6 and the early morning hours of March 7.

Police said in a criminal complaint that shortly before midnight on March 6, a Lansdale patrol officer observed a disturbance at Montella’s Sports Bar & Pub at 25 S. Broad St. in which a patron later identified as Kelly was being escorted out of the establishment after punching another person.

Cops said Kelly reeked of alcohol, and after a portable breath test indicated his blood alcohol content was .14 percent and he was asked by police “multiple times to arrange a ride for himself with negative results,” Kelly was taken into custody for public drunkenness and taken to Lansdale police headquarters, then placed in a holding cell after being uncooperative with officers.

While in the cell overnight, according to police, Kelly allegedly wrote “Joe Was Here” on the wall in blood from his knuckles; covered the cell camera with wet toilet paper, spit and a styrofoam cup; and splashed toilet water all over the floor of the cell, according to the complaint.

After being released on the morning of March 7, Kelly allegedly began arguing with cops and was told to leave the property, police said, but once outside he allegedly confronted an off-duty officer who was attempting to leave after his shift and began verbally harassing him until Kelly was told by other officers to leave immediately or he would be re-arrested.

A summons has been issued for Kelly to appear in Lansdale district court on April 17 for a preliminary hearing in the matter.