What seemed like a typical Florida DUI arrest turned into so much more when a 21-year-old Orlando woman turned violent and was booked on felony charges of battery on a law enforcement officer. According to the Orlando Sentinel Jamie Baldiga was verbally abusive before working herself free from her handcuffs and forcibly rocking the police cruiser she was in as she was being transported to the Orange County Jail. According to the arresting officer the woman kicked him twice in the chest and not even pepper spray to Baldiga’s face calmed her down following the battery.
The young Cape Coral woman has three alcohol-related arrests since 2009 and on top of the felony battery on a law enforcement officer charge she will also face a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest and a Florida DUI charge as well. Her felony charge could carry up to five years in prison. Baldiga was bailed out after paying $2,100.
Officer Joshua McNutt was quoted in the Orlando newspaper as saying he has never dealt with a more uncooperative or violent person than Baldiga was Friday morning. McNutt has been with the Orlando Police Department over three years.
The incident began after 3:30 a.m. According to police reports Baldiga’s Chevrolet was spotted swerving and affecting traffic. Baldiga allegedly admitted to having had one drink and then told the officer to get her a ride home. After agreeing to perform field sobriety tests, Baldiga changed her mind and walked off. At that pint she was handcuffed and put into the back of the patrol car. The 21-year-old was able to get her right hand free and continually pounded the on the back seat, doors, roof and back window of the patrol car. When McNutt stopped the car to put the handcuffs back on Baldiga, she allegedly kicked him twice in the chest. At that point she was sprayed in the face with pepper spray.
Arrest records show Baldiga has an arrest for underage drinking and charges were never filed on her for providing a false ID or possession of alcohol by a minor. She was then arrested for disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. Adjudication was withheld on that charge.
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