A Schuylkill County man was jailed following an incident with police in which he reportedly chose “the hard way.”
According to court records, on Monday at about 2 p.m., police in Minersville responded to a report of a suicidal male who had cut himself and was bleeding heavily.
Police say an active mental health warrant was issued for Nelson Geigel-Cuena, 31. When police arrived on the scene, they say a large amount of blood had been splattered about the residence. They say they attempted to reason with Geigel-Cuena and recommended he get some treatment and resolve the mental health warrant but he refused.
After about 30 minutes, Geigel-Cuena was told he either had to go with EMS to the hospital or go to the police station. Geigel-Cuena reportedly said he wasn’t going anywhere.
Police say they told Geigel-Cuena he had two choices at that point, doing things the easy way or the hard way.
Geigel-Cuena reportedly said to police, “Check my record. We’re going the hard way.”
He then stood up, pushed the dining room table and chair away and assumed a fighting stance.
One officer drew his Taser. Geigel-Cuena approached the officer and allegedly tried to disarm the officer and remove his Taser. The officer deployed the Taser and struck Geigel-Cuena in his left arm but it had no effect on him.
A second deployment of a Taser hit Geigel-Cuena in the back, causing him to fall to the floor. On the floor, Geigel-Cuena continued to struggle with police and resist being taken into custody.
A drive-stun from a Taser eventually brought Geigel-Cuena under control and he was cuffed.
Police say they transported Geigel-Cuena to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pottsville for treatment of his wounds and a mental health evaluation.
On Wednesday night, Geigel-Cuena was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge AJ Serina and charged with aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, simple assault, and resisting arrest.
Serina set bail at $150,000 cash and Geigel-Cuena was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
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