Hannibal Man Arrested for Assaulting Police Officer

Officers of the Hannibal Police Department were called to a residence in the 1200 block of Center St Wednesday evening in regards to possible drug activity. When officers contacted the occupant, who they recognized to be 29-year-old John A. Dickerman, of Hannibal, he gave false information as to his identity. Dickerman was arrested for giving false information and an active warrant.

While attempting to place Dickerman in a patrol car, he resisted by becoming combative and was taken to the ground. While on the ground, Dickerman still resisted the officers attempts to control him and bit the officer on the leg refusing to let go. Dickerman refused to loosen his bite on the officers leg, until he was forcibly removed. Dickerman was then transported to the police department and charged with Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest and an active Illinois warrant for Driving While Revoked.

Dickerman was released to the Marion County Jail pending warrants. The officer was treated at the Hannibal Regional Hospital for the injuries to his leg and released. He will be required to have follow up treatment for potential exposure to blood pathogens.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

*Press release from the Hannibal Police Department