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Alberta man charged with assaulting peace officer in COVID-19 threat

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Police in southern Alberta have charged a 27-year-old man with assaulting a peace officer after he allegedly coughed in their face.

Investigators say it happened Thursday evening in Lethbridge, Alta., after police responded to a domestic assault.

They say he was taken into custody and, during the arrest, coughed directly into the officer's face.

Police allege the man told the officer he hoped he would get infected and admitted he'd been exposed to a person with COVID-19.

The man's name has not been released.

Police say he remains in custody for the assault charge and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2020

The Canadian Press

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