Cape man charged in assault on police officer

Charges were filed Tuesday against a 52-year-old man who Cape Girardeau police say choked an officer and attempted to grab his sidearm while nude.

Michael McLeary, of 606 S. Silver Springs Road, was charged with Class B felony assault of a law enforcement officer, Class C felony assault of a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest and misdemeanor property damage.

A police officer responded to a trailer park at the Silver Springs Road address on a call Sunday afternoon and saw McLeary walking west from the park naked, according to a probable-cause statement filed in the case.

McLeary attempted to grab the officer and pull him from his squad car and pushed the officer into the side of the vehicle, the statement read.

The officer gave numerous orders for McLeary to get on the ground, but instead the defendant charged at the officer several times.

The two fell to the ground and continued to tussle, where McLeary grabbed at the officer's neck and attempted to wrestle his sidearm away, according to the statement.

During the struggle, McLeary was Tasered twice, the first time having been able to pull the prongs from his body, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer.

The officer was not seriously injured, and McLeary was hospitalized because officers believed him to be under the influence of drugs, Selzer said.

Bond for the defendant was set at $50,000 cash only, he said.