Jeff Neal
Commonwealth Journal, Somerset, Ky.
WAYNE COUNTY, Ky. — A Wayne County man was arrested on Friday and charged with destroying over $20,000 in medical equipment and assaulting a sheriff’s deputy after being transported home from Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset.
Shawn Barnett of Monticello was charged with terroristic threatening-3rd degree, criminal mischief-1st degree, criminal mischief-2nd degree and assault-3rd degree (Police Officer or Probation Officer).
The incident began after Wayne County Emergency Services transported Barnett from LCRH to his residence in Monticello. According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron, Barnett refused to allow the EMTs to take him inside until a female was present at the home.
But the Monticello-Wayne County 911 Center dispatchers were unable to contact the female.
Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Tucker was dispatched to the residence and upon arrival he observed Barnett threatening the EMT’s with physical assault.
Catron said Deputy Tucker was able to deescalate the situation and then place Barnett under arrest for the threat. Since Barnett is bed-ridden, the EMTs had to transport him to the Wayne County Detention Center.
Catron said that while en route to the jail, Barnett began “breaking equipment” inside the ambulance, including a monitor with an estimated cost of over $20,000.
Deputy Tucker again tried to calm Barnett - but to no avail. According to the sheriff, Barnett struck the deputy with a metal tray, which led to the assault charge.
Barnett was lodged at the Wayne County Detention Center.
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©2020 the Commonwealth Journal (Somerset, Ky.)