Alleged finger biter charged with assault

A Cape Girardeau woman, who reportedly has Hepatitis C virus, is facing felony assault charges after allegedly biting the finger of a Cape Girardeau police officer Wednesday. The officer was trying to retrieve a bag of drugs from her mouth.

Lillie A. Dry, 39, of 1400 S. West End Blvd, is charged with first-degree felony assault of a law enforcement officer. The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment.

Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Thursday due to the fact Dry had a communicable illness when she bit the officer, he charged with the first-degree felony assault of a police officer. "Otherwise it would have been a misdemeanor assault," he said.