Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — A 29-year-old Hayden man faces a felony assault charge for allegedly spitting on a Routt County Sheriff's deputy Sunday evening.

Timothy B. Nelson allegedly spat on Deputy Garrett Wiggins three times after the man was arrested at his Hayden home in the 14000 block of U.S. 40.

Nelson appeared in Routt County Court Monday afternoon. Judge James Garrecht set Nelson's bail at $5,000.

According to court records, authorities were called to the West Routt residence at about 4 p.m after a domestic dispute was reported. Wiggins and Hayden Police Officer Darin Falk went to the home.

When Wiggins arrived at the scene, Nelson was allegedly outside throwing beer cans at a woman, court records show.

Nelson allegedly started to walk away when Wiggins got out of his vehicle.

Wiggins told Nelson to stop to talk to him, but the man allegedly kept walking away.

Nelson allegedly continued to disobey Wiggins, who was able to catch up to the man, records show.

To take Nelson into custody, Wiggins had to force the uncooperative man to the ground because he allegedly resisted arrest, records show.

Together, Falk and Wiggins were able to get Nelson under control and handcuffed.

As Wiggins was transporting Nelson to the Routt County Detention Center in Steamboat Springs, the man allegedly spat on the deputy, records show.

As Nelson was being booked into the jail, deputies also allegedly found a marijuana pipe in Nelson's possession.

Because of the incident, Nelson faces charges of second-degree assault, a class four felony, menacing and resisting arrest, which are class three misdemeanors. Nelson also faces a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nelson's next appearance in Routt County Court is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 26.