An Occupy DC protester, who police said kicked a U.S. Park Police officer so hard in the groin that the officer vomited, has been released from police custody but banned from Occupy’s McPherson Square camp by the D.C. Superior Court. James Donald Ruffin, of Sandy Springs, Ga., was involved in a fight with officers at the McPherson Square Occupy DC campsite on Dec. 22 and charged with a felony count of assaulting a police officer and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon — his shoes.
At a hearing Tuesday, Ruffin, who was known only as Tank around the Occupy DC camp, was released from police custody on the condition that he stay away from McPherson Square, according to court documents. It’s not clear whether he’s been banned from the other Occupy camp at Freedom Plaza.
Ruffin is required to appear again in court on Jan. 13. He could be prosecuted for contempt of court or returned to jail if he violates the terms of his release, according to court documents.
Police were initially called to the square after a reported assault on a female. Arriving officers were told by a woman that Ruffin had vomited on her and jumped on her and others in her tent. Police said Ruffin refused to give them his identification and began shouting at officers and using racial slurs.
When they tried to arrest him, Ruffin went limp, refused to move and then fought about five police officers who were trying to get him into a police car, according to court documents. He kicked Officer Sean Kellenberger in the groin with “heavy-duty, brown boots” — leaving Kellenberger vomiting on 15th Street — and struck another officer in the chest, according to court documents. Police eventually used a stun gun on Ruffin.
Officer Mathew Cooney was later diagnosed with a sprained vertebra, sustained when he tried to lift the 300-pound Ruffin into a police car, according to court documents. Both Cooney and Kellenberger were treated at George Washington University Hospital for their injuries.
Ruffin was arrested on two counts of battery in Florida last year.
