Joshua Puckett

CLAYPOOL — A Claypool man is facing five criminal charges after an incident in July that resulted in a law enforcement officer being kicked in the chest.

Joshua Bryan Puckett, 35, 8556 S. Yellow View Lane, Claypool, is being charged with battery to a law enforcement officer, a level 6 felony; criminal confinement, a level 6 felony; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor. 

According to an affidavit of probable cause, on July 5, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officers were dispatched to an undisclosed residence in Kosciusko County in reference to a domestic fight. 

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a man who said that Puckett and a woman were at his residence and were arguing earlier in the day.  The man said he left the residence but once he returned he saw that Puckett had damaged numerous items. The items all belonged to the man who contacted police.

Officers spoke with the woman, who admitted that she and Puckett had been arguing earlier. She said the argument turned physical and that Puckett began breaking and throwing items in the residence. The woman said during that time Puckett threw a plastic object that struck her in the face.

The woman told police that she attempted to leave the room, but Puckett stood in the doorway and refused to let her leave. 

Police searched for Puckett and found him hiding in the back yard of a nearby residence. Once officers placed hand restraints on Puckett, he became uncooperative and began resisting officers.

Police were eventually able to place Puckett into a police vehicle and fastened a seat belt across him. Puckett unlatched the seat belt and attempted to get into the front seat of the police vehicle. 

As police were trying to get Puckett back into his seat, Puckett kicked one of the officers in the chest. Once police were able to get Puckett back into the seat, Puckett stopped resisting and began following police orders. 

Puckett was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail July 5, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.