A Perry man was arrested for drunk driving Monday night and used the occasion allegedly to threaten law enforcement officers.
Jonathan De Jesus Corado Melendrez, 26, of 2801 First Ave., Perry was charged with second-offense OWI, second-offense domestic abuse assault, assault on persons in certain occupations, first-degree harassment, violation of financial coverage, failure to use headlamps and open container.
The incident began about 9:30 p.m. Monday in the 700 block of First Avenue, where officers of the Perry Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a 2010 Mazda M3S, driven by Corado Melendrez, for “erratic driving” and “driving on a roadway with no lights on,” according to court records.
The officer made contact with Corado Melendrez, who presented “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” along with “slurred speech” and “watery eyes,” according to court records.
While Corado Melendrez was being arrested and later booked, he allegedly spat upon an officer’s leg and made “threatening statements” toward officers, including threatening to fight with officers and punch officers in the face.
He allegedly said to the officers, “I’ll kill you,” “You don’t think I’ll find your address,” and “I’m going to send someone.”
A female passenger in Corado Melendrez’s vehicle told the officers that Corado Melendrez allegedly “struck her multiple times with a baton causing bodily injury,” according to court records.
The officers observed on the victim “multiple abrasions and bruises that matched the alleged offense,” according to court records.
Corado Melendrez is held in the Dallas County Jail on an $8,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 5 in Dallas County District Court.
Corado Melendrez was arrested in Carroll in March on a charge of public intoxication. The case is pending in Carroll County District Court. He was convicted of first-degree harassment in 2021 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of assault on persons in certain occupations in 2021 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of assault in 2021 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of first-degree harassment in 2020 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of first-offense domestic abuse assault in 2020 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of first-offense OWI in 2020 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
