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WILKES-BARRE — A city man who spat in the eyes of a police officer after he was arrested for taunting pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated assault.
Reynaldo Maldonado Molina, 31, of George Avenue, entered the plea in Luzerne County Court. Additional charges of assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct were dropped in exchange for the plea.
Police say Maldonado Molina was on his porch talking loudly on his cell phone as officers interviewed a woman in a separate incident nearby. Maldonado Molina, police say, became agitated when police approached him to lower his voice and screamed at them to get off his property.
Maldonado Molina, whom police say seemed to work himself “into a frenzy,” refused to take the conversation indoors and tossed porch furniture at the officer after the officer informed him he was placing him under arrest for disorderly conduct, according to the affidavit.
The officer discharged his Taser, the affidavit says, but Maldonado Molina jumped off the porch and fled to the back of the residence.
When the officer returned to the residence, Cecily Lucas, who identified herself as Maldonado Molina’s husband, barred the door and refused to let officers inside, according to the affidavit. Court records show charges against Lucas were dropped.
Maldonado Molina spat on an officer after police forced their way inside and placed him under arrest, the affidavit says.
Judge David W. Lupas scheduled Maldonado Molina’s sentencing for Dec. 12.