Man faces prison for assaulting officer

NORRISTOWN >> A Pottstown man will serve a stint behind bars for assaulting and attempting to disarm a police officer during a disturbance in the borough.

Richard Hudson, 37, of the 400 block of Lincoln Avenue, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 1½ to 4 years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer in connection with an Aug. 11, 2023, incident near his residence.

Judge Steven T. O’Neill, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, ordered that Hudson undergo a mental health evaluation and that he comply with all recommendations for treatment.

An investigation began about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 11 when Hudson, appearing irate, approached a police officer who was in the 400 block of Lincoln Avenue and stated, “The houses are on fire,” according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Police Officer Ryan Stead.

“He then walked up to me, reached for my firearm, and stated, ‘Let’s go.’ The male had grabbed the handle of my firearm, which was still in the holster, and began pulling it,” Stead alleged in the arrest affidavit. “After I began to push him off of my firearm, he began to walk away. I grabbed his arms and attempted to take him into custody, but he pulled away.”

Hudson continued to resist and punched the officer in the face. When the officer threatened to deploy a Taser, Hudson complied, got onto the ground and was successfully detained, according to court papers.

Other charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief were dismissed against Hudson as part of the plea agreement.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Waeltz Jr. handled the case. Defense lawyer George Griffith Jr. represented Hudson during the court proceedings.