Man Charged With Aggravated Battery For Allegedly Yelling ‘Corona’ And Coughing In Cop’s Face

A man “acting belligerently” at the scene of a car accident mumbled something about having the coronavirus and then twice deliberately coughed in a Chicago police officer’s face, Cook County prosecutors said in court Monday.

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Anthony Ponzi, 21, was ordered released on his own recognizance on charges of aggravated battery to a peace officer.

Anthony Ponzi
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Chicago police officers responding to a car crash in the Rogers Park neighborhood on Sunday saw Anthony Ponzi, 21, of Wilmette, in a “highly agitated” state, slurring his speech and foaming at the mouth, according to an arrest report.

When an officer tried to check Ponzi’s eyes for signs of impairment, Ponzi yelled “Corona, OK” and coughed directly on the officer’s face — so close that the officer “immediately felt particles of saliva/breath,” according to the arrest report.

The officer tried to “diminish the effect of the contamination” by tilting his head to the side and taking a step back,” according to a police report on the incident.

When police tried to place Ponzi into custody, he began yelling, “I’m resisting,” and refused to extend his arms, the report stated. Police then took Ponzi down and handcuffed him.

While inside a squad car, he kicked a partition and was the taken to the Rogers Park District station, according to the report

The other car was driven by a 29-year-old man, who told police he was heading south on Wolcott Avenue when he saw a gray Jeep speeding toward him, going the wrong way down the one-way street, police said. The vehicles then collided.

Ponzi then got out of the Jeep and began pushing and kicking the 29-year-old man, who declined medical treatment, police said.

Ponzi eventually was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he told hospital staff he did not have the virus, according to a Chicago police spokeswoman.

Ponzi’s defense attorney noted in court Monday that he is a sophomore in college and is undergoing mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Judge Charles Beach II ordered Ponzi released on his own recognizance, noting his lack of criminal background and the fact that he may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged assault.

Ponzi was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and misdemeanor charges including battery, resisting arrest and DUI.

A lawyer for Ponzi declined to comment when reached by phone Monday.

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