CEDAR CITY, Utah – A man faces numerous charges after he allegedly assaulted his wife and roommate while wielding a samurai sword while heavily intoxicated, and police said the man kicked, bit and cursed at officers the entire time they worked to take him into custody.
According to a statement of probable cause from the Fifth District Court in Iron County, Cedar City Police Department officers responded to a noise complaint that had turned violent in Cedar City.
Jason Wardle, 26, of Cedar City was arrested Wednesday and booked on the following charges: two counts of aggravated assault domestic violence, two counts of assault domestic violence, intoxication, disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer, two counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest.
Police determined that Wardle had argued with his roommate and wife. The fight began outside and then moved indoors, and when the man’s wife attempted to get Wardle to stop fighting he allegedly agreed but instead went into the kitchen and returned with a 3-foot samurai sword.
Wardle began swinging the sword at his roommate, hitting the roommate in the shoulder area. The man’s wife suffered a cut on her finger as she tried to get the sword away from Wardle, and he allegedly elbowed her in the mouth to keep her from disarming him.
When the fight moved outdoors, Wardle’s daughter attempted to stop the fight by putting her arms around her father, but he pushed her away from him. Wardle also kicked his wife in the stomach and continued to assault his roommate while outside, according to the PC statement.
When police arrived, Wardle ran inside the home and locked the door. Officers gained entry and took Wardle into custody. Though he no longer had the sword, Wardle continued to fight against officers, including biting and spitting.
Once handcuffed, Wardle continued to kick at police, who responded by putting him in leg restraints. At that time, Wardle began to “vomit violently” and officers put him on his side to prevent choking. Police stated the man had a strong odor of alcohol about him, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. They added the man struggled to use complete sentences.
The man continued to curse and spit at police, who then had to use a spit sock on the man. Police stated the man continued to curse at the top of his lungs as he was transported to and treated at a hospital, telling police and medical staff to “f— off” along with similar vulgar sentiments.
