A 65-year-old Salem man was ordered by Judge Joel Powless on Friday to remain in the Marion County Jail without bond following an assault on two Salem Police officers on Wednesday.
Charles Huggins had been formally charged on Thursday with threatening a public official, two counts of aggravated battery for spitting on one and kicking a second Salem Police officer, criminal trespass to state-supported property, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and disorderly conduct. The threatening a public official charges Huggins with threatening the two police officers and their families including sexual assault, bodily harm, and death threats.
Judge Powless found that Huggins should be held under the dangerousness standard barring pretrial release. He noted the statements made to the officers, his actions towards them, violating an earlier conditional discharge order, and violating an order of protection.
Salem Police had initially gone to the Salem Aquatic Center to escort Huggins out of the facility because he was allegedly drinking liquor. However, police say he refused to go and the altercation began.
While the court hearing to determine if he should be held was delayed until Friday because Huggins said he wanted to hire his own attorney, a public defender was appointed to represent him before the Friday hearing.
Huggins is due back in court on August 20th for a pretrial hearing.
