A Georgia man has been sentenced for assaulting multiple people, including a police officer, while naked and under the influence of drugs.
Kelly Holcomb, 37, is accused of entering an Acworth, Georgia, Deerfield Lodge room on December 17 and striking a man and a woman in the face.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Acworth Police Officer Taneisha Palarche was the first to respond to the room after receiving reports of a naked man running around and assaulting people. Palarche approached Holcomb and attempted to calm him down, but Holcomb instead attacked a second individual before assaulting the officer.
Officer Eric Mistretta stated last year after the incident, “He was naked and believed to be under the influence of multiple types of drugs.”
According to investigators, Holcomb knocked out one of Palarche’s front teeth, strangled her, and attempted to gouge out her eyes with his thumbs. Several residents reportedly attempted to distract the individual, while one resident assisted the officer in escaping.
Eventually, backup officers arrived, and Holcomb kicked one of them. The officers used a Taser to attempt to subdue him, but their efforts were ineffectual.
Holcomb was ultimately apprehended by officers and then transported to a hospital. After being discharged from the hospital, he was lodged into jail.
“While officers were attempting to subdue the suspect, Metro EMS arrived on the scene and administered a tranquilizer to calm Holcomb down,” Mistretta said.
Holcomb was found guilty of one count of aggravated battery on a peace officer, one count of aggravated assault on a peace officer, two counts of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated assault, two counts of obstruction of an officer, one count of first-degree burglary, and one count of misdemeanor battery by a Cobb County jury.
During the trial, Holcomb acknowledged to smoking methamphetamine prior to the assault.
“I am appreciative of the bystanders who assisted Officer Palarche and the other victims in this instance. This case demonstrates the dangers of substance use and the negative effects it has not only on the user but also on those around them.” Cobb County Assistant District Attorney Nolan Slifk told Fox 5 Atlanta in a statement.
The first 15 years of Holcomb’s 20-year sentence will be served in prison.
According to WSB-TV, Judge Jason D. Marbutt stated during sentencing, “Your poor decisions have brought us here.” The judge prohibited Holcomb from contacting the victims.