New Kensington man accused of assaulting officer in city holding cell

A New Kensington police officer had to threaten to use a Taser on a man who fought with officers inside a city cell, police said in court records.

The incident happened after officers went to a Fifth Avenue business Friday night in response to a report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance.

Upon arriving, officers encountered Eugene Bryan Sharpley, 46, of New Kensington, who they said was “extremely intoxicated,” according to a criminal complaint. Sharpley resisted being handcuffed by pulling away when officers tried to arrest him for public intoxication, police said.

The bartender told police they wanted Sharpley barred from the business, according to the complaint.

At the police station, Sharpley was given the chance to make a phone call to get a ride from the station but was unable to find a ride, according to the complaint.

Police told him he would be placed in a cell until he sobered up. Sharpley began fighting with officers as they tried to put him in a cell, the complaint states.

When he held an officer’s leg, stopping the officer from leaving the cell, the officer drew his Taser and warned Sharpley that if he did not comply, he would be shocked with the stun gun.

The Taser was not used, but Sharpley kicked the officer in his leg as he was leaving the cell, the complaint said.

Sharpley did not have an attorney listed in court records.

He is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest and a summary offense of public drunkenness. He was arraigned Saturday and released on an unsecured $10,000 bond.

Sharpley’s preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Feb. 15 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.