CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A 40-year old man faces two criminal charges after authorities say that he attempted to grab a police officer’s pistol while being arrested on February 16th, 2020.
Martin Ray Kury made his initial court appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Tuesday, February 18th, to hear the felony charge of Attempted Interference with a Peace Officer read to him by Judge Lee.
Kury was also charged with a misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest.
The Cheyenne Police Department says that they made contact with Kury at a residence while responding to a report of a domestic assault.
Law enforcement alleges that while they were interviewing Kury, he disobeyed the officer and attempted to leave the residence. When police attempted to restrain Kury, he reportedly physically resisted until he was placed in handcuffs.
An affidavit in the case says Kury continued to resist and pull away from the arresting officers while he was being escorted outside of the residence to a police vehicle.
It is alleged that while being held up against the vehicle, Kury put his hands on the pistol of one of the officers and attempted to lift it upwards. The police officer reported that they could feel his holster begin to lift off his side during the altercation.
Court papers say that the police eventually restrained Kury by placing him in a full-body restraint.
According to Wyoming state statutes an individual convicted of Interfering with a Police Officer by attempting to disarm them can face up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office.