ROCKLAND, Maine — A judge set bail Friday at $25,000 for an Owls Head man accused of trying to pull a gun and knife on a deputy who was arresting him on another charge.
Judge Susan Sparaco set bail for Ronald Harding Jr. during a brief hearing in Knox County Unified Court. Harding was arrested Wednesday and charged with a series of new offenses after he reportedly resisted arrest on a previous charge.
When the latest incident occurred, a deputy was trying to arrest Harding, 40, on a felony criminal mischief charge for allegedly shooting a BB gun at his neighbor’s home, causing an estimated $5,500 in damage.
Bail conditions prevent him from possessing any weapons or being within 1,000 feet of the neighbor’s residence if he is released from jail. If he does make bail, Harding also must report to the Knox County sheriff’s office each day.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Fernald said Friday that Maine Pretrial Services declined to enter into a monitoring contract with Harding. No reason was given for that refusal.
The defendant also is ordered to take his medications as directed. Harding told Sparaco on Friday that he was not well, but he did not specify his illness.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, when Deputy Jeremy Joslyn tried to arrest Harding on the criminal mischief warrant Wednesday, Harding tried to run and then struggled with the deputy upon being tackled. During that struggle, Harding allegedly tried first to pull out a dagger and then a loaded .40-caliber pistol. Joslyn was able to disarm Harding and hold on to him until help could arrive to handcuff the suspect, the sheriff’s office reported.
Joslyn, who suffered an injury to his hand, was treated and released from Pen Bay Medical Center.
Harding entered no plea at his initial court appearance.