GRAND COULEE — A Grand Coulee man was sentenced to 35 days in jail after allegedly assaulting a bar patron and responding officers and offering to pay an officer if he would decide not to press charges, according to court documents.

Charles Edward Cooler Jr., 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, and was sentenced to 35 days in jail and 12 months in community custody.

The court dismissed a fourth-degree assault charge, and prosecutors declined to pursue a charge of resisting arrest recommended by investigators.

Police responded to High Dam Tavern, a Grand Coulee bar, just after 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve for a medical call. According to court documents, a woman at the bar had fallen down and started convulsing, and a number of other patrons crowded around her to try to help.

Cooler, who would later tell police he was an EMT and was required to step in or risk losing his license, also attempted to help, but was told by another patron that he was too drunk to be of assistance. This reportedly angered Cooler, who took a swing at the other patron and then left the bar, police wrote at the time.

When the first officer intercepted Cooler, he told Cooler that he was under arrest and to put his hands behind his back. Though Cooler initially complied, he attempted to punch the officer in the face before he was placed in handcuffs, though he only landed a glancing blow, according to court documents.

The responding officer closed distance with Cooler, attempting to gain control and place him in wrist restraints, all while Cooler continued to strike at the officer. Another officer arrived on the scene, and together they were able to bring Cooler to the ground.

However, while on the ground Cooler reached up and grabbed one of the officers by the genitals and began to squeeze. The officer responded by hitting Cooler in the face several times until he released his grip.

Once in handcuffs, Cooler was placed in the backseat of a squad car while officers investigated his initial assault, but he began to try to kick out the car’s back window. After Cooler reportedly refused to calm down and attempted to get out of the car, officers used a stun gun on him, in the neck, police wrote.

On the way to jail, Cooler reportedly pleaded with the arresting officer not to charge him with assault, even offering to pay the officer, according to court documents. He told officers that he had previously been convicted for assaulting an officer and would be facing 25 to 30 years in prison if charges weren’t dropped. Once he was entered into the jail and his handcuffs removed, Cooler reportedly began bashing his head into a concrete wall.

Despite telling police he was previously convicted of a felony, Cooler had no known prior criminal history, according to court documents.