Palmerton man charged with resisting arrest

John Schmidt, 41, of 1780 Dairy Road, Palmerton, faces charges from an incident which took place at 11:55 p.m. May 26 at 377 W. Kline Ave., Lansford. Charges of resisting arrest, two counts of persistent disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness were filed by Officer Joshua Tom.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, here's what happened:

Tom and fellow officer Jeff Ohl received a call about a possible domestic disturbance at 377 W. Kline Ave. They arrived and spoke with the complainant, Joseph Schminkey, who said that Schmidt had come to Lansford and began fighting with his wife over her and Schmidt's divorce.

Tom spoke with Schmidt, who was sitting in his truck outside the house, and smelled alcohol on the man's breath. Schmidt told Tom he was "trying to get my wife back."

Tom advised him to get a ride back to Palmerton, because he was too drunk to drive. Schmidt then spotted Schminkey standing nearby and began to shout obscenities at him and yelling that he wanted to fight him. Schmidt ignored Tom's warnings to calm down and made a run for Schminkey, pushing the police officer out of the way. Schmidt had to be held back by Tom and Ohl, who told him numerous times to calm down.

Police finally arrested him for disorderly conduct, at which time he began fighting with them. Schmidt continued fighting despite warnings to stop. He was handcuffed and taken to the police station.

Schmidt was arraigned before District Judge Edward Lewis of Jim Thorpe and placed in Carbon County Prison under $15,000 percentage bail.