Teaneck Woman Spat, Coughed On Cops, Said She Had Coronavirus: AG

TEANECK, NJ — A 43-year-old woman faces second-degree terroristic threat charges after spitting and coughing toward police officers after she was arrested Saturday.

In a statement Sunday, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said the woman, 43-year-old Seghuy Cepeda, was arrested Saturday for violating a temporary restraining order.

According to the statement, Cepeda was arrested by police in Englewood for violating the order. While in police custody, Grewal alleges, the woman spat and caughed at police officers several times, stating she had COVID-19.

Cepeda was later taken to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramas, where Grewal said she coughed at two police officers and spit a mouthful of water at them.

Cepeda was charged with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault on an officer, obstruction, resisting arrest, and violation of a temporary restraining order, Grewal said.

A charge of terroristic threats during a state of emergency carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

County records show Cepeda has been arrested several times in Bergen County and was accused in January 2019 of throwing bodily fluid at a law enforcement officer, assault and resisting arrest.

"The Governor’s executive orders are commonsense measures to keep people safe during this historic health crisis," Grewal said in a statement. "Our police officers are working courageously every day to protect us all, and we will continue to charge anyone who violates the emergency orders, which literally are a matter of life and death."

Anyone who sees people disregarding the governor's emergency orders is asked to contact local police or file a report online at www.covid19.nj.gov/violation.