Pottstown man draws probation for assaulting hospital staff

NORRISTOWN » A Pottstown man faces probation and community service for assaulting paramedics and hospital staff during a disturbance at Pottstown Hospital.

Isaiah Michael Mayes, 19, of the 600 block of Beech Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to four years of probation after he pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts of simple assault in connection with the Dec. 12, 2017, disturbance at the hospital on East High Street.

Common Pleas Court Judge Richard P. Haaz, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Mayes to complete 36 hours of community service in connection with the incident.

Other charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering other persons, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness were dismissed against Mayes as part of the plea agreement.

An investigation began about 1:18 p.m. when Pottstown police responded to the hospital for a report of a person fighting staff. When police arrived in the emergency room they heard yelling and observed about 15 to 20 staff members in a room with some of them trying to restrain Mayes on a bed, according to the arrest affidavit filed by Pottstown Police Officer Brett M. Cortis.

Mayes eventually was placed in four-point restraints which were secured to the bed, court documents indicate.

Hospital security personnel said Mayes had been transported to the hospital by Pottstown police about 7:20 a.m. Mayes was “agitated and argumentative with staff throughout the day,” police alleged in the arrest affidavit.

“The defendant was yelling at staff, leaving his room without authorization and causing a general disturbance,” Cortis alleged in the criminal complaint, adding Mayes was nude when he left his room and was observed by numerous citizens in the common area of the emergency room.

Mayes, police alleged, became physically aggressive with staff, when they prepared to sedate him, and assumed a fighting stance and began fighting with staff.

“Hospital staff struggled with the defendant for approximately 30 minutes prior to contacting police,” Cortis alleged. “The defendant fought with multiple staff members during which time four hospital employees were injured.”

The staff members included a paramedic, a technician and security officers. The injuries included abrasions and bruises, police said.

Under state law, by pleading guilty to the simple assault charges, Mayes admitted that he attempted to cause or intentionally or recklessly caused bodily injury to other persons.