Coast man arrested for assaulting deputy

An Ocean Springs man assaulted an officer after attempting to run from him near the Pow Wow on Highway 16 West here last Friday night, the authorities said.

The man, Samuel Seth Holdfield, 37, 4500 Highway 57512, Ocean Springs, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, simple assault of a police officer, DUI, disorderly conduct, disobeying a police officer, possession of paraphernalia, resisting arrest, no drivers license, no proof of insurance and a switched license plate.

Neshoba County Jail records show Holdfield is still in custody.

Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said a deputy encountered Holdfield at the Pow Wow on Friday, Nov. 23, at about 9:15 p.m. when he saw him pull into the parking lot. Clark said the deputy had stopped there for a bite to eat and saw the gray Ford Taurus driven by Holdfield move to several different parking spaces over a short period of time.

After running the plates, the deputy found they matched a different vehicle, a GMC Envoy. At this time, the deputy pulled in behind Holdfield and turned on his blue lights.

Holdfield then exited the car and approached the officer. He told the officer he did not have his driver’s license and confessed to smoking marijuana earlier that evening. 

When the deputy went to pat Holdfield down, Holdfield then ran into the road on Highway 16. Clark said the deputy was able to radio for backup and caught up to the suspect in the median.

At one point during the tussle, Clark said Holdfield had the deputy on the ground in a chokehold and was pulling on his gun holster. Clark said the deputy was able to hit Holdfield with his flashlight to get him off him when backup arrived and deputies were able to take Holdfield into custody.

Clark said no serious injuries were reported. The deputy was taken to the emergency room at Neshoba General Hospital to be checked out.