(WWJ) A Mid-Michigan man is facing felony charges after it's alleged he spit in a police officer's face, then said he may have COVID-19.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged a 26-year-old Ian Ross Thurmes of Owosso with one count of harmful substance-person falsely exposed, a 5-year felony, and one count of resisting and obstructing police, a 2-year felony.
Authorities said Thurmes appeared to be highly intoxicated and was "yelling, screaming, kicking and being otherwise belligerent."
As police approached, the two people let go of Thurmes and he was handcuffed.
While in handcuffs and on the ground, it's alleged that Thurmes rolled over and spit in the face of an officer who was wearing a protective face mask.
Thurmes then laughed and asked the officer if she thought he had the coronavirus, police said. He then went on to say that maybe he did and maybe he didn't, according to prosecutors.
"This is no laughing matter and I don't find any humor in it all," said Leyton, in a statement. "People are dying from this virus, the entire world has been turned upside down because of it, and our first responders do not need the added stress of being worried whether they are going to contract this virus while they are performing their duties."
Thurmes was set to be arraigned on the charges in 67th District Court.
It's unclear if he has been tested for the coronavirus.
