TUSTIN, Calif. (KNX) — A man accused of attacking medical staff at a vaccination site in Orange County, then groping a nurse that was treating him, was charged Tuesday with battery and resisting arrest.
Thomas Apollo, 44, of Poway faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly attacking workers at the Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center clinic in Tustin on Dec. 30. Prosecutors said Apollo was behaving erratically, accused clinic workers of being "murderers," and hurled expletives at those that requested he wear a masks while at the clinic.
It's alleged Apollo punched a medical assistant five times and another assistant twice before bystanders intervened.
When police arrived, Apollo allegedly refused to follow commands, and was subsequently subjected to taser shock so that he could be subdued and handcuffed, prosecutors said.
Finally, while being treated for minor injuries sustained in the struggle with police, prosecutors alleged Apollo grabbed a female nurse's finger, then groped her breasts.
"Instead of being treated with the same compassion and respect in which they treat their patients, these health care workers were punched in the face and physically assaulted just for trying to do their jobs," Orange County D.A. Todd Spitzer said in a statement on Tuesday. "Violence of any kind will not be tolerated and we will hold this individual accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
According to the O.C. Sheriff's Department, Apollo was cited and released from jail on Dec. 31. He will return to court for arraignment on March 30. If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail.
