Justin Forsman, who recently ran for a seat on the Vancouver City Council, made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court for allegedly intimidating a police officer.
Forsman, 28, of Vancouver appeared on suspicion of intimidating a public servant. However, the prosecution said it also may file a charge of third-degree assault.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Forsman called 911 on Friday to report an unwanted person at 2111 W. 31st St. Vancouver police Officer Lee Gelsinger responded and was flagged down by a woman, identified in court documents as Mary Greene, who is a current resident. Greene reported being threatened by Forsman, who does not live at that location.
She said Forsman threatened to break her neck and pushed her. A friend of Greene’s, Keith Moran, was on the phone with her while the incident unfolded and said he heard Greene yell for Forsman to get his hands off of her, court records said.
Gelsinger wrote in the affidavit that Forsman yelled that Greene was a liar, and Gelsinger must remove her from the property.
Gelsinger said Forsman continued to yell at him and demanded he listen, court records said. Gelsinger instructed Forsman to lower his voice and stand back, he said, but Forsman continued to demand Gelsinger remove Greene.
Gelsinger said he felt Forsman planned to assault him if the officer didn’t do as Forsman demanded. Forsman then placed his right hand in his pocket, Gelsinger said, and refused to show his hands as he approached. Gelsinger said he braced his stance and Forsman shouted, “What are you going to do? Shoot me?” according to court documents.
The officer then pushed Forsman back, grabbed his wrist and placed him in handcuffs, records said.
During the hearing, Judge Gregory Gonzales appointed defense attorney Jeff Staples to represent Forsman and set bail at $25,000. He will be arraigned Dec. 21.
Forsman, who had a felony criminal record when he ran for office this year, lost in November to Vancouver Councilman Bart Hansen.
