Justin Guido

A Cranberry Township man is accused of assaulting correctional officers in Butler County Prison after his arrest for the alleged assault of a couple, police said.

Derek James Cowan, 35, was charged Thursday, March 12, by Butler County detectives with one felony count each of aggravated assault and assault by a prisoner following a March 8 incident.

Police said Cowan was being processed in Butler County Prison and was escorted to a cell. When a sergeant was explaining the next steps of processing, police said Cowan turned and punched him in the face.

Police said Cowan then got into a fighting stance toward the other officers before attempting to run, but was Tased. Police said Cowan then flailed his upper body and kicked his legs as officers attempted to restrain him.

On March 9, Cowan was charged by Cranberry Township police with two felony counts of aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of simple assault. Police said he assaulted a man and woman who came to check on him at his apartment.

Cowan has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. March 20 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty and another awaiting to be scheduled. He’s being held in Butler County Prison on bails of $125,000 and $10,000.