Man Faces Assault Charges After Spitting On Deputies

A Newport man is in jail after assaulting police officers. Cocke County deputies were originally called to the Carson Springs area about a drunk man standing in a yard. That man was 24 year old Diamon Williford. He was finally found in a 2004 Honda CR-V. After Williford, who was intoxicated, was placed into the patrol car, he began to kick at the patrol car’s windows. Deputies transported Williford to jail where he became combative with deputies and jail staff. Williford had to be put in a restraint chair and while deputies were doing so, Williford told a deputy he was going to spit in his face and while placing the straps on his arms and legs he spit on another deputy’s back and shoulder. Later, Corrections Officers were going to place Williford into a cell to prevent any further assaults from taking place, because he could be housed alone in that cell. During the time they attempted to move Williford, he spit on a Corrections Officer in the face. Another officer was smacked in the face as well. Williford faces a long list of charges including assault, reckless endangerment with a vehicle, criminal trespass and vandalism as he ran over a sign in a yard.