AC Man Kicks in Door, Assaults Woman; Blames Smoking Joint

An Atlantic City man is blaming his actions during a violent home invasion and the lengthy struggle with police officers that followed on the effects of a joint he smoked before the incident.

Man Broke into Woman's Atlantic City Home

Atlantic City Police say Jerome Younger, 37, broke into a woman's home on the 1500 block of Ohio Avenue at around 9:38 pm on Friday, Sept. 6.

Investigators said Younger started loudly banging on the home's door and the homeowner called 911 because she didn't know him.

Younger then kicked down the door and assaulted the woman.

Suspect Grabbed for Police Officers' Gun, Rifle, Taser

In a press release, police say they responded to the home and several witnesses pointed Younger out as the suspect. When police approached him, they say Younger grabbed the officer by his clothing and pushed him to the ground.

Younger then tried to grab the officer's gun and taser. Another officer used a taser on Younger but it wasn't successful in stopping him.

Police also said Younger grabbed hold of another officer's rifle while continuing to resist arrest. A taser was used again "after a lengthy struggle" and Younger was then taken into custody.

Jerome Younger Faces Many Charges

Younger was charged with burglary, aggravated assault, criminal mischief, criminal restraint, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and several other charges.

At the time of the incident, Younger was already facing charges for possession with intent to distribute, terroristic threats, and burglary.

According to the state Office of the Attorney General, Younger has also been arrested at least three times at Atlantic City casinos.

A 2015 order made him an excluded individual in Atlantic City casinos.

Prosecutor Asks for Younger to Be Held in Jail

According to the Press of Atlantic City, Assistant Prosecutor Jim Leeds argued in Atlantic County Superior Court that Younger must remain detained.

"The defendant has served multiple periods of incarceration, including a five-year sentence from 2018. He has four failures to appear, with one happening within the last year. He now faces second-degree charges which carry a presumption of imprisonment."

The Press of Atlantic City reports that Younger's attorney, John Bjorklund, explained that it was his client's birthday and that he was under the influence.

"This young man bought a pre-rolled joint and he experienced something that he never experienced before after smoking it. We'll see if this will amount to involuntary intoxication.

He's had problems with drugs in the past, and although the writing is on the wall that he will be detained, he wants treatment and knows he needs it."

Younger will be held in jail until his Oct 21 court hearing.