Handcuffed man accused of assaulting an officer

A man is in jail after allegedly assaulting a police officer while in handcuffs as he was being led off to a patrol car. John M. Mease, 44, is facing two counts of assaulting a police officer for the incident in the 800 block of South Adams on Wednesday. Mease called police to report an assault but when officers arrived he said he didn’t want to make a report, according to court documents. Mease allegedly became combative with officers, slapping one on the shoulder twice, pushing him forward, and poking another in the chest. After he was put in handcuffs he chest bumped one of the officers and both fell to the floor, according to court documents. While on the ground Mease was reportedly able to kick the downed officer in the face. When another officer arrived to take him to jail, Mease allegedly told him he could take the officer in a fight, court documents say.