DuBois woman to stand trial for allegedly assaulting officer in Clearfield

CLEARFIELD — A DuBois woman waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges stemming from a June 9 incident of assault of a law enforcement officer in Clearfield Borough. Stephanie Lyn Hand, 33, waived her right to the hearing before Magisterial District Judge James Glass on one third-degree felony charge of assault of a law enforcement officer, and one second-degree misdemeanor charge of simple assault. According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 8:45 p.m. on June 9, Clearfield Regional Police were dispatched to a possible opioid overdose at the Clearfield Volunteer Fire Company. Upon officers’ arrival, a white Cadillac Escalade bearing a Michigan registration was observed sitting in front of the fire hall with numerous first responders around it. First responders advised officers that a person, identified as Hand, had been provided two 4mg doses of narcan and was becoming more alert. Hand reportedly started to become aggressive and began yelling at first responders trying to provide her treatment. Individuals who had brought Hand to the fire department advised that she had possibly taken fentanyl. Hand then attempted to close the rear door of the vehicle with a first responder standing along the door and a stretcher also in the doorway. Hand exited the vehicle and grabbed the first responders’ shirt collar and then began to push him. Officers heard the man advise Hand to not place her hand on him and pushed her away. Upon coming to the driver’s side of the vehicle, Hand was partially on the stretcher. Due to Hand’s behavior, officers placed her in handcuffs. She was then sat onto the stretcher where she was allegedly attempting to kick officers. Hand had to be pushed back on the stretcher and threatened to spit in an officer’s face. An EMT placed her gloved hand over top of Hand’s mouth, and Hand then moved her head and reportedly attempted to spit on the officer. Due to her actions, Hand was placed into custody, and a spit mask was attached to her face to stop further actions. She was transported to Penn Highlands Clearfield to be medically cleared. Clearfield County Probation was then contacted and a detainer was placed on Hand. Originally bail was set at $50,000 monetary. During Centralized Court on Wednesday, Glass reduced Hand’s bail to $10,000 monetary. Her next court appearance will be for formal arraignment, which is scheduled for July 15, at the Clearfield County Courthouse.