Refusal to wear a mask led to Pullman arrest

Argument led to man allegedly punching cop

Bill Stevenson, Gazette Editor | Apr 22, 20210

COLFAX — A man didn’t want to wear a mask on a Pullman bus and argued with the driver before allegedly punching a police officer in the face.

Jason A. Johanson, 43, of Pullman, was charged with two counts of assault in the third degree in Whitman County Superior Court on April 15.

He is facing warrants for three counts of failing to appear in court for the past charges of criminal trespassing in the first degree, criminal trespassing in the second degree, and assault in the fourth degree, according to court records.

A Pullman Transit driver called police on April 14 when confronted by a man not wearing a mask and trying to ride the bus. The discussion turned into an argument about the mandate to wears a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID.

“(The bus driver) advised me that there was no threats to any people but just that he would not wear a mask and he was instructed to call the police before proceeding,” wrote a Pullman police officer.

Two officers arrived to talk to Johanson. He is accused of hitting an officer on the “left hand/wrist area” as he moved toward the officers in “(an) assaultive behavior,” according to the police report. This is the reason for one count of assault in the third degree, a felony because it is a police officer.

Officers claim at least two punches were thrown by Johanson before they handcuffed him during his arrest.

“Officer … advised he was struck in the upper lip during the detainment. There was no injury from the assault,” the officer’s report stated. It is the reason for the second felony charge for assault.

Author Bio

Bill Stevenson, Former Managing Editor

Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.