Jeannette man accused of choking cop serving him with mental health warrant

A Jeannette man who spent time in jail for unlawfully restraining his mother is accused by police of choking an officer who was taking him into custody on a mental health warrant, according to court papers.

Neal M. Hubish, 39, also tried to grab a Taser from a Jeannette officer, police said.

He is charged with aggravated assault, disarming of a law enforcement officer, simple assault and resisting arrest.

Police assisted a family member of Hubish with serving the warrant on Jan. 7 at a Lowry Avenue home, according to court papers. Hubish became combative with two Jeannette officers and squeezed one of their throats, leaving a red mark, police said. A Taser was used on him multiple times.

Police said Hubish grabbed the Taser as the second officer was attempting to handcuff him.

He had not been arraigned Monday.

Hubish was sentenced to about two years in jail in December 2018 in connection with the 2016 incident involving his mother. Police said he demanded $16,000 and refused to let her go anywhere with a phone or internet access the day after she picked up him up from the Westmoreland County Prison in February 2016. He pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint and driving with a suspended license, according to court records.

Hubish was charged in May in connection with an alleged assault involving his father, police said. He was ordered by a judge on Jan. 6 to undergo a mental health evaluation, according to court records. No other court action has been scheduled in that case.