Charleston man faces assault, armed criminal action charges

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man faces assault and armed criminal action charges after resisting arrest Friday in Mississippi County.

Decarlos F. Clemons, 21, of Charleston is charged with two counts of attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.

About 8:30 a.m. Friday, an officer with Charleston Department of Public Safety observed Clemons, who had an active misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, walking on Locust Street in Charleston, according to Charleston DPS Director Robert Hearnes. Officers attempted to make contact with Clemons.

"Clemons was unlawfully carrying a firearm and fled from the officers on foot," Hearnes said. "During the foot pursuit, Clemons tried to discard the firearm and tossed it to the ground. When the firearm struck the ground, it discharged."

Clemons was taken into custody shortly thereafter without further incident. "Fortunately, no one was injured when the gun fired," Hearnes said.

Clemons is being held in the Mississippi County Jail with bond set at $750,000 cash only.

For this story and more, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.