BANGOR, Maine — A local man arrested Monday night after police pepper-sprayed him because he allegedly threatened them with a knife when they tried to take him into custody on a warrant remained Wednesday night at the Penobscot County Jail unable to post $750 cash bail.
Joshua Panther, 28, of Bangor was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, a Class C crime, and assault, a Class D crime.
He made his first court appearance Wednesday before District Court Judge John Lucy, who set bail. Conditions include Panther not returning to the home of the relative where he was arrested, not possessing dangerous weapons, including knives, and not using intoxicants.
Panther, who has a long misdemeanor record, was not asked to enter pleas because he has not yet been indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury. It next convenes on Feb. 24.
The incident that led to Panther’s arrest reportedly began when he called the Penobscot Regional Communications Center and told dispatchers he was around Holden, was wanted on a warrant and should be arrested, Holden police Sgt. Eugene Fizell said Tuesday.
When approached, however, Panther had changed his mind about being arrested and stated he was not going to jail, the sergeant said.
Panther, who uses a wheelchair because of leg injuries he suffered in an accident a few years ago, wheeled himself into the kitchen, grabbed an 8-inch carving knife from the counter, leaned back over the wheelchair and slashed at officers, Fizell said.
The sergeant said he ordered Panther to drop the knife, warning him that he would be “sprayed” if he did not drop it. Panther did not drop the knife, and police pepper-sprayed him in the face, Fizell said.
If convicted of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, the more serious charge, Panther faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. If convicted of assault, he faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
BDN writer Dawn Gagnon contributed to this report.