Salem man charged with assaulting sheriff’s deputies

A Salem man faces four felony offenses in connection to allegedly escaping arrest and then assaulting two sheriff’s deputies taking him into custody, according to documents filed in circuit court.

Nickelous L. Terrill, 34, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault – special victim, armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death to any person.

Terrill escaped from custody March 16 by allegedly assaulting two bailiffs, throwing his crutches away and running from the scene, according to the case’s probable cause statement. The statement says Terrill then caught a ride with his mom to a residence in the 10500 block of Highway 19. Two sheriff’s deputies located Terrill there the next day hiding while nude in a bedroom closet. While attempting to place him under arrest, the statement alleges Terrill punched the first deputy in the face and the two began grappling. A taser deployed by the second deputy had no effect on Terrill and he then ran down a hallway. The second deputy then tackled Terrill, who allegedly bit the officer breaking the skin.

The statement says Terrill next grabbed an iron fire poker and pulled it to his body before being disarmed by the second deputy. He was then successfully handcuffed and taken into custody by both officers.

The statement details the first deputy received an abrasion to the back of the head and laceration to the right eyebrow requiring five stitches. The second deputy was diagnosed with a bite to the forearm and severely swollen hand.

The statement concludes by detailing Terrill’s criminal history includes two previous convictions for possession of a controlled substance in 2016 and 2017.