Howell charged with assaulting WPD officer

A Wrangell man was arrested July 7 after allegedly causing a disturbance and assaulting a police officer.

Nick Howell, 24, of Wrangell, was arrested on three charges of Assault in the 4th Degree, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting or Interfering with Arrest by Force.

All the charges are misdemeanors.

The resisting arrest charge arose after Howell allegedly fought with Wrangell Police Department officer Joe Paul outside a bar on Front Street.

According to charging documents filed in First District Court, Paul became involved after he drove up on Howell and another man “rolling on the ground, engaged in a fight.”

The charging documents also state that Howell “threw an elbow, striking the officer in the right side of the face,” and that Howell also, “kicked the officer in the left side of the ribcage.”

After being placed under arrest, Howell is alleged to have kicked and head-butted the passenger-side window of the marked Wrangell cruiser.

Police chief Doug McCloskey said his officer, while sustaining injuries, is doing just fine and is back on duty.

“He had minor injuries with some bruising,” McCloskey said. “He’s a little sore, but he’s fine and back to work.”

Howell, who is currently out on bail, was arraigned on July 7 and has pled guilty in the case.