Man Who Elbowed Officer In Nose Cited For Assault: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A man wanted on outstanding warrants from Stafford County and Charles County in Maryland is facing multiple charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, following a recent traffic stop, according to Fredericksburg police.

On Aug. 27, an FPD officer stopped a vehicle that failed to come to a complete stop and didn’t use a turn signal while making a left turn, according to the incident report. At the same time, a K9 office also arrived on the scene and approached the vehicle from the passenger side.

While the driver appeared cooperative, the passenger told the officer that he didn’t have any ID. However, the K9 officer recognized the man from previous encounters as Andre Bennett. The officer also was aware that there were multiple outstanding warrants for Bennett's arrest, according to the report.

When the driver and passenger were asked to step out of the vehicle, Bennett tried to flee.

“The officers successfully apprehended Bennett and took him to the ground, but he refused to comply with their commands and continued to resist,” according to the report. “During the struggle, Bennett elbowed one of the officers in the nose, causing a laceration that began to bleed. Additional officers arrived to assist in detaining Bennett.”

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Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene to treat both Bennett and the injured officer. As they were being taken care of, the K9 officer walked his dog around the vehicle to sniff the air, which led to the recovery of clear glass smoking devices with residue, as well as additional narcotic items, the report says.

Police served Bennett with outstanding warrants and charged him with assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of Schedule I/II substances, possession of Schedule III substances, and obstruction of justice, according to police. He was then held without bond.

The driver, who was released with a verbal warning, has potential charges pending lab results.

Bennett was arraigned on Aug. 28 in Fredericksburg General District Court and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 18, according to court records.

The possession of Schedule I/II substances is a Class 5 felony, which carries a potential penalty of one to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

Both the possesion of Schedule III substances and the obstruction of justice charges are Class 1 misdemeanors, which are each punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both in Virginia.

The assault on a law enforcement officer is a Class 6 felony. If convicted, Bennett faces a possible prison sentence of one to five years or confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500, according to the Virginia code.

Bennett was also cited on a felony charge of being a fugitive without warrant for an incident that occurred in Fredericksburg on Aug. 1.

On June 3, a warrant was issued for Bennett for failing to show up for a scheduled hearing in Stafford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, according to court records. He was arraigned on Aug. 28 and has a hearing set for 11 a.m. on Dec. 8.