Man acquitted in animal cruelty case arrested after fight with police officers
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man found not guilty earlier this year in an animal cruelty case has been arrested after he had a physical confrontation with police in which he assaulted officers.
James Harley Miranda, 40, was arrested Sunday on a number of battery and drug charges, according to Sgt. Elvis Cook of the Clearlake Police Department.
Cook said that on Sunday at 1:30 a.m. officers responded to the area of Lakeshore Drive and Highway 53 for a male subject who was acting erratic, yelling and chasing vehicles. Clearlake Police Dispatch had received several calls regarding the male.
Sgt. Cook and Officer Mauricio Barreto arrived in the area and contacted a male later identified as Miranda. Cook said Miranda was acting erratic and was screaming irrational statements.
As soon as officers arrived on scene, Miranda became combative, came toward the officers and started to assault them. Cook said Miranda grabbed one officer by the throat and started to punch and kick at the officers as they tried to take him into custody.
In addition to assaulting the officers, Miranda was grabbing at the officers’ gear, Cook said.
At that point, Officer Mark Harden and his K9 partner "Zip" arrived on scene to assist. Cook said Officer Harden gave Miranda several orders to comply, with negative results.
Officer Harden deployed Zip who apprehended Miranda. Cook said Miranda started to comply, however when officers went to place him into handcuffs, he became combative and assaulted the officers again.
Cook said the officers, along with Zip, were able to get Miranda into custody.
Miranda was placed under arrest for obstructing a peace officer, battery on a peace officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct-drugs, Cook said.
Cook said Miranda was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was booked on the charges, with bail set at $15,000. Booking records indicated that Miranda is to be arraigned on Tuesday.
In January a jury found Miranda not guilty of animal cruelty by torture and being under the influence of methamphetamine in a case involving his dog, Cocoa, who had been found dead on the side of Highway 53 in September by a passing motorist.
The dog had been tied to a dolly and muzzled, which Miranda said was necessary because the dog – who he said had been hit by a car – was snapping at him. He said he had gone to try to find help, and by the time he returned an animal control officer had picked up Cocoa’s body.
One of the key pieces of evidence that is believed to have led to Miranda’s acquittal was a veterinarian’s examination of Cocoa’s body, which found she had injuries consisting with being struck by a vehicle.