A man who was released on a felony conviction with outstanding warrants has been charged with assaulting two police officers, according to a magistrate’s complaint filed with the Supreme Court.
John Ryan Palacios White, also known as Joe San Nicolas, 37, was charged with two counts of third-degree assault on a police officer. The indictment contains a report of the commission of a crime at the time of release.
On Wednesday at 1:52 p.m., police stopped a motorcycle without a license plate. The driver, White, initially gave police the wrong name, but officers later determined he had several active warrants.
In the interrogation room at the police station, an officer unlocked White’s handcuffs and White ran for the door. A second officer blocked his path, and White grabbed that officer’s name tag and punched him in the mouth, according to the complaint.
Both officers began arguing with White until White eventually said, “Okay, I’m done,” and sat down on the floor, according to the complaint.
White, who has previous convictions for disorderly conduct, drug possession, harassment and domestic violence, was acquitted in the 2018 case.
Charges in 2018 include aggravated assault, domestic violence and violating a court order.
If convicted of the current charges, he could face up to 35 years in prison.
He was held on $3,000 bail.