PAINTSVILLE MAN FACING MAJOR FELONY ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER CHARGE AFTER COP PRICKS FINGER ON USED SYRINGE IN COAT POCKET DURING ARREST AT MEDICAL CLINIC

INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER MAN MADE THREATS TOWARDS STAFF AT SUBOXONE CENTER, ALSO FACING NUMEROUS ADDITIONAL CHARGES FROM THE CASE

PAINTSVILLE, KY. — The Paintsville Police Department arrested a local man on Thursday October 25 after the man allegedly threatened staff at a local clinic and an officer was stuck by a used syringe.  

According to the Paintsville Police report, officers were called to a local Suboxone clinic in Paintsville after employees at the clinic said a man had threatened them.

When officers arrived on scene they located George Burton Tackett, 52, of Paintsville, who appeared to be under the influence and appeared to be hiding something in his pocket.

When officers placed Tackett under arrest and upon began searching him, one of the Paintsville officers was stuck by a used syringe Tackett had on him in one of his coat pockets.

The police report also indicated that when George Tackett was being transported to the hospital to be checked out, he began beating the window of the police cruiser with his arms and head.

Officers had to use pepper spray on Tackett in an attempt to calm him down.

George Burton Tackett was charged with the top serious felony assault of a Police Officer because he knowingly allowed the officer to search him with a used and exposed syringe in his pocket. It is a criminal charge that carries a sentence from 10 years, to up to 20 years in prison.

In all, George Tackett was charged with a total of 8 criminal offenses. Those charges were:

 • ASSAULT, 1ST DEGREE

– POLICE OFFICER,

• WANTON ENDANGERMENT-1ST DEGREE, 

• RESISTING ARREST, 

• PUBLIC INTOXICATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (EXCLUDES ALCOHOL), 

• TERRORISTIC THREATENING, 3RD DEGREE, 

• MENACING,

 • DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – BUY/POSSESS, 

• DISORDERLY CONDUCT, 2ND DEGREE.

After he was treated at the hospital, George Burton Tackett was transported from the hospital to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where still remains lodged.