Geneva Man Accused Of Coughing On Cops While Yelling ‘COVID’

GENEVA, IL — A Geneva man is facing felony charges after police said he intentionally coughed on officers after being arrested.

Juan M. Arellano-Uribe, 25, was pulled over around 1:10 a.m. July 13 while driving in the 1500 block of Batavia Avenue, according to police reports. An officer alleged Arellano-Uribe drove his truck into oncoming traffic several times before they pulled him over, the Kane County Chronicle reports.

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Geneva police said they saw an open bottle of beer, as well as Arellano-Uribe sitting in the passenger seat, when they approached the truck, the report states.

After being told he would have to wear a mask and gloves while he was processed at the Geneva Police Department due to coronavirus precautions, Arellano-Uribe started coughing heavily and yelling “COVID” while near officers, the report states.

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Arellano-Uribe was charged last week with three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, and obstructing identification, among other charges, according to police reports.

Arellano-Uribe also faces a charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for allegedly having an uncased, loaded and immediately accessible firearm, according to Kane County jail records.

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He is being held at the Kane County jail in lieu of bail, which is set at more than $1 million. He is due to next appear in court Aug. 28.

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