An Oregon police officer is isolated after a suspect who knew he was infected with the coronavirus spat and coughed up the officer during an arrest Sunday morning.
The Tigard Police Department, which is located about 15 minutes outside of Portland, believes the suspect intentionally attempted to infect the officer during the arrest, according to a police press release. Officers met Miguel Hernández-Cuesta, 24, after responding to a report that a man, who appeared to be drunk, was asleep in a McDonalds car.
Hernández-Cuesta was found passed out in the driver’s seat, partially hanging from the driver’s side door, which was slightly ajar, according to the statement. When officers asked him to turn off the car, Hernández-Cuesta allegedly rolled the car forward and nearly collided with a patrol.
Officers then attempted to arrest the man on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and driving while suspended.
“In the course of the arrest, as Tigard police officers searched for the man in search of weapons or dangerous articles, he began to cough profusely and declared that he had COVID-19,” the department statement said. “An officer asked him to stop coughing on them, but he turned to face the officers and proceeded to cough and spit into one of their faces while standing less than a foot away.”
Prison staff confirmed that Hernández-Cuesta was positive for the coronavirus, and was also accused of aggravated harassment for a serious crime.
“Officers who are victims during the course and scope of their duties have the same rights as any other member of the community, and we intend to assist the Washington County District Attorney’s office with any future prosecution for this intentional and unjustified exposure beyond our daily routine. “daily duties,” the department statement said.
Inmate records show Hernández-Cuesta was released from the Washington County Jail on Sunday.
NBC News was unable to find contact information for Hernández-Cuesta using public records. An email to a lawyer who defended Hernández-Cuesta in a 2019 DUI conviction said he no longer represents him.
