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A 22-year-old man is accused of putting a Portland police officer in a chokehold and attempting to reach for his holstered gun, according to court records.

(The Oregonian)

Michael Scott Walton, 22

A 22-year-old man accused of putting a chokehold on a Portland police officer and attempting to grab his gun out of his holster was arraigned on an indictment Thursday.

On Sept. 2, Portland police Officer Eric Dinnel had responded to a welfare check near Northeast Fremont Street and 109th Avenue, according to court papers.

Dinnel, a 13-year bureau veteran, was attempting to bring Michael Scott Walton to a local hospital on a voluntarily hold to be seen for a mental health evaluation, according to police and court reports.

But at some point, witnesses observed Dinnel "wrestling on the ground'' with Walton, and Walton put Dinnel in a "choke hold,'' Multnomah County deputy district attorney Christine Mascal wrote in a probable cause affidavit.''

Walton, of Northeast Portland, reached around and tried to unlock Dinnel's pistol from his holster, according to police.

A witness, concerned the officer was in trouble, told police he kicked Walton several times.

Dinnel suffered a bloody thumb and elbow, the affidavit said.

A Portland police detective interviewed Walton after his arrest.

According to the affidavit, Walton told police had had been using methamphetamine for several days and was "told to do things by the devil and felt like the devil's puppet.''

Walton entered not guilty pleas Thursday morning to a four-count indictment charging him with assaulting a public safety officer, strangulation, aggravated harassment, and third-degree robbery.

He's being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center. His next court date was set for Oct. 24.

Walton has been on bench probation since July 15, when he was convicted of criminal mischief for damaging a vehicle and the property of the Heavenly Donuts, according to court records.

--Maxine Bernstein