A midnight quest for a cigarette ended badly for an Ash man Tuesday morning.
Ivan Yanez, 21, was arrested and charged with assault on a government official, resisting an officer, indecent exposure and simple assault, according to Columbus County Detention Center reports. Yanez has been released on a $10,000 secured bond. His address was listed on jail records as 3438 Dew Branch Ct., Ash.
Sgt. Scott Moody said Whiteville Police were called to the Econolodge to investigate reports of a man banging on windows, yelling at other guests, and exposing himself. The three female victims, whom he did not know, told police he was demanding cigarettes, and became irate when no one had a spare smoke. Yanez then allegedly exposed his genitals to the woman.
Yanez resisted officers when they first approached him. After taking him into custody, they helped him cover himself then transported him to the Detention Center. As he was being processed, Yanez allegedly spat on another detainee who was not involved in the incident. That resulted in a charge of simple assault, Moody said.
