ALEXANDRIA, VA — A former soldier was scheduled to appear in federal court Monday morning following his arrest for allegedly punching a military police officer in the face during a security stop at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall last week.
Simeon Walter McFadden-Russ faces charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers causing bodily injury, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The incident occurred on Thursdayt at the Hatfield Access Control Point in Arlington.
According to an affidavit filed by a special agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, military police stopped McFadden-Russ after noticing a "strong odor of marijuana emanating from his car and person" as he attempted to enter the installation in a Tesla Model 3.
Investigators stated that after being asked to pull over for an inspection, McFadden-Russ fled on foot. During the ensuing pursuit, a military police officer on duty attempted to secure the suspect.
"McFadden-Russ, while still within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, punched [the military police officer ] in the nose, drawing blood/causing a bloody nose," according to the affidavit.
During the struggle on the ground, the military police officer reportedly shouted "gun" after spotting a firearm in the suspect's waistband. Other officers assisted in securing McFadden-Russ and recovered a loaded Glock 43X. The military police officer was treated by emergency medical services for injuries to his nose and right knee.
Court records indicate that McFadden-Russ had his initial appearance on Friday before Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick. While a detention hearing was originally scheduled, it was canceled Monday morning, and a preliminary hearing was reset for a.m. in Alexandria Courtroom 500.
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