An area man incarcerated at the Boonville Correctional Center has been charged with felonies after an alleged incident earlier this year in Cooper County.
A probable-cause statement says 28-year-old David O’Neal, of Boonville, reportedly was noticed by correctional officers to be in an agitated state and allegedly under the influence of an unknown substance on October 3. Reportedly, several attempts to calm O’Neal failed where pepper spray eventually was applied to his facial area and struggle ensued. O’Neal was eventually subdued, placed in handcuffs and was helped to his feet, where he allegedly spit blood in the face of two officers.
Online court documents say O’Neal has been charged with two counts of a Class B Felony for Causing Violence to an Employee of the Department of Corrections.
His initial hearing in the matter is pending at Cooper County Circuit Court.