A 33-year-old Port Townsend man was arrested for third-degree assault after he allegedly touched the breast of an emergency room technician at Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center last week while undergoing a medical evaluation.

Michael James Chisick was arrested just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11.

Port Townsend police had dropped off Chisick at the hospital about an hour earlier for a mental health evaluation, according to court documents.

A worker at the hospital reported the alleged assault and said she was trying to get Chisick’s vital signs. She was trying to put on a blood pressure cuff when he ran his hand up her inner arm and touched her breast. 

After the woman stepped back, “Chisick started to laugh and giggle and reached out again at her pelvic level and wiggled his fingers around trying to touch her,” according to a statement of probable cause.

The worker called police, and added that Chisick’s medical patient records indicated he had a history of assault on medical staff.

When questioned by a police officer, Chisick first said he did not assault or touch anyone, but then said he touched the woman because it had been “medically induced.”

According to court records, Chisick became uncooperative and hostile when he was placed under arrest.

Once outside the hospital, Chisick threatened police while being escorted to a police car, and told officers that they “better stop [expletive] around or it’s not going to end well for us.”

While being taking to the jail, Chisick spit on the seats of the patrol car.

The charge of third-degree assault included the sentencing enhancements of assaulting a nurse, physician or health care worker, and sexual motivation.

Chisick was also charged with second-degree malicious mischief for spitting in the patrol car, which also had a sentencing enhancement of substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service, as the patrol car had to be removed from service for cleaning. 

He also received a third charge of interference with a health care facility.

Second-degree assault and second-degree malicious mischief can both result in a maximum five-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine upon conviction.

Conviction of interference with a health care facility can result in a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Chisick’s first appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court July 12; bail was set at $5,000. His arraignment has been scheduled for Friday, July 21.