A Scranton woman who spit on a city police officer as she was being arrested faces charges of aggravated assault, according to a criminal complaint.
At about 4 a.m. Sunday officers were called to 1016 E. Locust St. for the report of a domestic incident.
When officers arrived, Sydney Morgan Frazier, 24, of 210 S. Decker Court, told them her boyfriend, Prince Barber, had punched her in the face and choked her.
Because Frazier had reported that Barber had a gun in a drawer, officers directed her to stay outside the residence.
Officers found Barber in a back bedroom and he was unarmed.
According to the complaint, when officers interviewed Barber, 21, of East Locust Street, he told them a different version of events, claiming Frazier had attacked him.
Officers noted scratches on Barber’s neck and face.
Barber told officers the altercation started during an argument about a broken phone, but Frazier told police the argument had been over rent.
Officers noted scratches on Frazier’s neck and a red mark on her back.
Both Frazier and Barber denied attacking the other.
Because Frazier and Barber had visible injuries, officers charged both with simple assault and harassment, and put them in handcuffs.
As Officer Chad Pettus was putting Frazier in his patrol vehicle, she spit on him and was charged with felony assault.
Both have preliminary hearings scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 22 before District Judge Laura Turlip.
Originally Published: October 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM EDT