Hampton Bays Man Found Guilty Of 'Violently Assaulting' 2 Police Officers: DA

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Hampton Bays man was found guilty after assaulting two police officers, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Terrell Harris, 39, was found guilty, after a jury trial, of second-degree assault and other related charges, after injuring two police officers following a pursuit in October 2025, the DA said.

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The officers were attempting to place Harris under arrest after he was caught driving with a revoked license and with active warrants, Tierney said.

The evidence at trial established that in the early morning hours of October 19, 2025, a Southampton Town police officer responded to a call for service at Harris' residence in Hampton Bays, Tierney said.

Harris immediately fled in a Ford SUV when the officer arrived, the DA said.

A database check at the scene revealed that Harris had a revoked license and active warrants for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated, the DA said.

The officer located Harris parked outside the Hampton Bays Library about an hour after responding to the residence, the DA said.

The officer approached Harris' vehicle on foot as a second Southampton Town police officer arrived to assist, Tierney said.

Harris immediately drove off at a high rate of speed, the DA said.

Both officers activated their lights and sirens and pursued Harris; during the chase, Harris exceeded the speed limit before coming to a stop in his own driveway, Tierney said.

When the officers attempted to arrest him, Harris became combative and punched both officers repeatedly, causing injuries, Tierney said.

Additional officers arrived on the scene and were able to subdue and apprehend Harris, the DA said.

The police officers were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries as a result of the assault, the DA said.

On Thursday, Harris was convicted after a jury trial, heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns, on charges including wo counts second-degree assault, Class D violent felonies; one count of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; one count of second-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; and one count of speeding, an infraction, Tierney said.

Upon the jury's verdict, Harris was remanded by the court, the DA said.

Harris is due back in court on September 22 for sentencing and faces up to 7 years if convicted of the top count, Tierney said.

He is being represented by Tara Laterza, Esq. and Michael Bassett, Esq.; neither could immediately be reached for comment.

"Today, a jury found this defendant guilty of failing to comply with officer's commands and violently assaulting the officers who tried to take him into custody," Tierney sad. "Assaults on law enforcement in Suffolk County will never be tolerated, and my office will hold dangerous individuals like this fully accountable."