A Lansford man has been charged with assaulting a police officer.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Jason Helmer of the Lansford Borough Police Department in the case against Scott Silverstein:

At 2 a.m. Wednesday, Helmer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Ridge Street for a disturbance involving two men reportedly out of control.

The Carbon County 911 Center reported that a firearm was involved. Nesquehoning and Summit Hill police were requested to assist.

Officers spoke to two people who said that Scott Silverstein, 30, and William Beck were intoxicated and had since left the residence.

One reported that Silverstein was emotional concerning a past life event and became aggressive, throwing and breaking items in the residence.

Beck reportedly brought a handgun to the residence.

A loaded Taurus 9 mm handgun was secured inside the residence, and the witnesses were concerned that Silverstein would attempt to access the firearm.

Nesquehoning officer Richard Neikam and Summit Hill officer Cody Pituch spotted Silverstein and Beck walking in the 600 block of East Ridge Street and they told them to stop.

Silverstein ignored commands and continued walking. Beck complied and cooperated with officers’ commands.

Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol from Silverstein as he approached. They attempted to detain Silverstein and he pulled away, starting a struggle.

Silverstein placed Neikam in a bear hug/grapple position, and both fell to the ground. Silverstein began to tug at Neikam’s firearm.

As Helmer arrived to assist, Silverstein was on the ground with Neikam in a grapple hold.

Helmer attempted to restrain him and used a stun gun to get him into handcuffs.

Neikam was injured during the struggle.

At the station, Silverstein admitted to consuming alcohol and acting in the manner he did out of “stupidity” and denied attempting to reach for Neikam’s firearm.

Silverstein submitted to a preliminary breath test, which produced a reading of 0.137 percent.

Silverstein faces charges of aggravated assault; simple assault; disarming a law enforcement officer; resisting arrest or other law enforcement; disorderly conduct; and public drunkenness.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 3 p.m. March 20 before District Judge Joseph D. Homanko Sr. of Weatherly.