HIV Positive Man Bit Cops, Attempted Murder Charge Filed

SEVERN, MD — A Prince George's County man with HIV who fought with police — which escalated to police use of a Taser — reportedly bit two cops to retaliate, knowing he might translate the virus, according to court documents.

Jeffery David Crook, 46, of Clinton, is charged with second-degree attempted murder and other crimes in the incident.

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if left untreated, say health officials. Emergency workers like police who may be exposed to HIV are commonly treated with antiretroviral medications right away so that the exposure will not result in HIV infection. Treatment with the medications typically lasts for four weeks.

Crook reportedly showed up early Sunday morning at a Severn home in the 1700 block of Sage Brush Court where a former boyfriend lived. When the men inside told Crook to leave he used a brick to bang on the outside of the house and eventually forced his way through a sliding glass door when its lock failed.

Once inside the house, Crook punched one of the men in the face. When Anne Arundel County Police arrived, Crook said he “wanted to see our badge,” that "we weren’t real police," the officers wrote in charging documents. As police sighted their Taser at him, Crook became agitated and told two officers that "you better bring more police."

During the intense struggle with police as they tried to place him in handcuffs, Crook grabbed the Taser from a holster, and police then hit him in the abdomen with their knee several times, court documents say. Before he was restrained, Crook reportedly bit the glove of one officer, and bit a second officer’s forearm, breaking the skin and causing swelling.

Crook was taken to a local hospital as a precaution, while the officer whose arm was bitten was treated for his wound.

Crook was charged with assault on police, home invasion, burglary, and related charges.

»Photo of suspect Jeffery Crook, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police