York Man Pleads Not Guilty to Assaulting Deputies

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Justin Wilhite, 43, of York, Nebraska has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of a police officer. Wilhite is accused of becoming agitated while being held at the York County Jail, spitting in a corrections officer's face, shoving a sergeant into a wall-mounted TV, and biting and injuring two deputies who tried to restrain him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the risks and challenges law enforcement officers face when dealing with combative and violent individuals in custody. It also raises questions about mental health resources and de-escalation training for corrections staff to prevent such incidents.

The details

According to the affidavit, when deputies tried to place handcuffs on Wilhite, he "became agitated" and "shoved a sergeant into the wall-mounted television, injuring the sergeant and destroying the television." Wilhite then "began physically resisting the efforts of officers to move him down the hallway to a holding cell," thrashing his head, kicking at officers, and refusing to stand up. When officers tried to prevent Wilhite from injuring himself by hitting his head on the floor, he attempted to bite the sergeant's hand and did bite a deputy's fingers, drawing blood.

• Wilhite was arraigned this week in York County District Court.
• A jury trial was scheduled for late May.

What’s next

A jury trial for Wilhite has been scheduled for late May.