On July 13 at 3:34 p.m., patrolmen stopped a black Honda SUV on South Gloster Street just south of Crosstown because the driver was not wearing a seat belt, police said. During the traffic stop, officers learned that the passenger, Copeland, had two active arrest warrants. “The officers also were aware that Copeland has a history of resisting arrest,” McDougald said. Copeland was also on parole with the Mississippi Department of Corrections for sale of cocaine, credit card fraud and burglary. As Copeland got out of the vehicle, police said he was seen dropping a clear plastic bag. As one officer began to handcuff the suspect, police said Copeland spun around and began throwing punches, striking one officer in the face. During the ensuing struggle, Copeland at one point had his hand on the officer’s holstered pistol, police said. The officers sprayed Copeland with pepper spray. One officer “was forced to strike Copeland several times with a fist in an attempt to stop his assault,” police said in a prepared statement. The officer was initially holding the handcuffs in his hand but immediately dropped them to avoid using them as a weapon, the report said. Police said Copeland continued to resist even when he was taken to the ground. He was eventually subdued and carried to the Lee County Jail. The clear plastic bag and its contents, which police suspect of being illegal narcotics, were collected as evidence. Since it was not known if Copeland had ingested any drugs, he was later carried by ambulance to the North Mississippi Medical Center emergency room for observation. He was admitted to a room around 9 p.m. While police escorted the ambulance to the hospital, Copeland was released from custody with plans to pursue felony charges through the grand jury, McDougald said. When Copeland left the hospital against medical advice at 12:20 a.m. July 14, police swore out felony warrants against Copeland. Less than 24 hours later, police arrested Copeland and charged him with two counts of simple assault on a police officer. He was booked into the Lee County Jail Wednesday July 14 at 11:25 p.m. Additional charges, including drug charges, will be pursued through the grand jury process, police said. During his initial appearance in Tupelo Municipal Court Thursday, bond was set at $300,000. Since he has on parole, MDOC could place a hold on him.