Ohio man accused of intentionally coughing on police, first-responders

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WJW) -- A local man faces a fifth-degree felony charge of harassment by inmate. He's accused of intentionally coughing on police and fire personnel while he was being taken into custody.

Cuyahoga Falls police said officers responded to the Hanover Street address of Jared McDowell, 34, in response to a disorderly call.

“The male that we ended up arresting, Jared McDowell was extremely uncooperative, intoxicated to the point that he was unable to care for himself. It was at that time that we decided we would be transporting him to the hospital,” said Cuyahoga Falls Police Captain Steve Guldeman.

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Court records allege during that time McDowell, “removed a protective mask that was covering his mouth and forcefully coughed, expelling a cloud of liquid saliva droplets, at police and fire personnel.”

“When they were trying to put him into the ambulance, he kept removing his mask and coughing at the first responders there on scene, purposely,” Guldeman said.

As a condition of bond following his release from jail, Stow Municipal Judge Lisa Coates ordered McDowell to be transported to Western Reserve Hospital, where he was to be tested for COVID-19. The results of his test were not available on Wednesday.