Man arrested after running from Deputies

 

A 34-homeless Marathon man was arrested Friday afternoon after he fled from Deputies, spit on them and threatened them.

James Elisme was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer/firefighter/paramedic, battery on a law enforcement officer/firefighter/paramedic, threats against a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest without violence. He also had an out-of-county warrant for his arrest.

Middle Keys Deputy Frank Westerband responded to the 5400 block of the Overseas Highway in Marathon at approximately 2 p.m. regarding an unconscious man lying on the ground, possibly having a seizure. Deputy Westerband arrived to find the man, later identified as Elisme, passed out on the ground near a light pole near U.S. 1 and the Bank of America. Elisme smelled strongly of alcohol. A can of Four Loko® alcoholic beverage was near him.  Deputy Westerband woke Elisme. Elisme asked what Deputy Westerband was doing. Elisme could barely maintain his balance. Elisme grabbed the can of Four Loko® chugged it, dropped the can and then kicked the can. Elisme was slurring his words.

Deputy Westerband told Elisme he was responding to reports that a person was possibly having a medical emergency. Deputy Westerband advised that he arrived to find Elisme unconscious, adding that he was just making sure that Elisme was medically OK. Deputy Westerband advised Elisme that he already called paramedics and that he wanted paramedics to check on his medical status. At this point, Elisme refused to provide Deputy Westerband his name. Elisme began throwing his personal things down and balling up his fists. Elisme took an aggressive stance toward Deputy Westerband. Deputy Westerband asked Elisme to let paramedics make sure he was OK, but Elisme picked up this things and walked away, adding that he didn’t need medical attention.

Elisme then began to walk into traffic on U.S. 1, but Deputy Westerband grabbed him and pulled him back before oncoming traffic could strike him. Elisme became upset. Deputy Westerband told Elisme he was about to be struck by oncoming traffic and asked Elisme a third time to let paramedics check on him. Deputy Westerband called for backup. Elisme again became aggressive and told Deputy Westerband to quit harassing him.

Elisme again tried to walk into oncoming traffic on U.S. 1 and again, Deputy Westerband pulled him back to safety. At this point, Deputy Westerband radioed other Deputies that he was going to take Elisme into custody for Elisme’s own safety and the safety of others on the road. Other Deputies began to arrive on scene. Elisme became more aggressive, took off his shirt, balled up his fists and took a fighting stance. Elisme refused to obey orders to get on the ground. Deputy Westerband removed his Taser®.  Elisme then took off running.  Deputy Westerband fired his Taser® but it did not strike Elisme. Deputy Westerband caught Elisme  and held him down and as other Deputies helped Deputy Westerband put Elisme in handcuffs.

Elisme went limp and had to be carried to the patrol car. Elisme refused commands at the jail. Elisme began telling Deputies he was going to beat them up when he caught them on the street. Elisme was placed in a restraint chair. Nurses at the jail said Elisme had to be taken to Fishermen’s Hospital to be medically evaluated as he refused to answer any of the nurses medical questions. Elisme was taken back to Deputy Westerband’s squad car. Elisme began spitting on Deputies. Elisme began kicking at Deputies and screaming. Deputies were forced to place Elisme in shackles.

Sgt. Christian Kellenberger, Deputy Jamie Hughes-Buxton and Deputy Westerband all took Elisme to the hospital after placing Elisme in a wheelchair. The Deputies had to place Elisme in a bed at the hospital due his refusal to obey commands. Elisme continued to attempt to spit on Deputies after a spit mask was placed on him. Elisme threatened Sgt. Kellenberger. Hospital staff stated that they needed to use a sedative because Elisme was too aggressive to be medically examined.

Elisme was ultimately cleared by hospital staff.

 

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