Affidavit: Tenn. man claiming to have AIDS bites officer’s thumb, breaking it

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - A man with several active warrants was charged with assaulting an officer and evading arrest, among other charges, after police initiated a traffic stop early Monday morning.

According to the affidavit, the suspect, 44-year-old Marco Smith, bit and broke the officer’s thumb while resisting arrest on Monday. Smith began to spit in the back seat of the squad car while yelling out, “I have AIDS!”

The incident took place at 3:57 a.m. on Jackson Avenue after officers initiated a traffic stop for a Kia Spectra with unreadable tags.

Smith was observed without a seatbelt in the back seat of the car. He asked the officer if he could exit the car, which the officer denied.

When police asked for identification, Smith gave numerous false aliases, including other people’s social security numbers, the affidavit says.

When he was asked to exit the vehicle, police say Smith began to “act irate.”

He immediately fled, pushing and pulling away from officers while hiding his hand below his waistband.

Smith was apprehended after being shocked with a stun gun.

Additional backup arrived to assist police on the scene.

When a backup officer approached Smith, he bit the deputy’s thumb, causing it to break. The officer was taken to the hospital in non-critical condition.

When placed inside a patrol vehicle, Smith began spitting inside the car, yelling “I have AIDS” while he banged his head against the cage.

Police have not confirmed whether or not this claim was true.

Smith was found to have active warrants for aggravated assault, intentionally evading arrest in a vehicle, and vandalism of property valued at $1,000 or less.

The driver of the Spectra was issued a citation and released at the scene.

Smith was taken to Regional One for medical clearance before being transported to jail.

Smith is charged with aggravated assault to a first responder, evading arrest, resisting criminal detention, criminal impersonation, as well as his three warrant charges.

His bond is set at $5,000.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.