Crime & Safety

Howell Man Accused of Attacking Officer at County Jail

Suspect allegedly bit a corrections officer's finger after being found in possession of cocaine

A Howell man is accused of attacking an officer at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) after he was found in possession of cocaine.

Daniel Puff, 32, of Howell, allegedly had packages of cocaine in his clothing when he was admitted into the jail on Wednesday, Sept. 14, according to an arrest warrant from the Freehold Township Police Department. He was also allegedly in possession of a hypodermic needle and wax baggies stamped “Paid.” Puff is accused of biting the left index finger of a corrections officer.

Puff was arrested on charges aggravated assault, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Freehold Township Police Department records.

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Puff's bail was set at $22,500.

Information was not immediately available from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office as to whether Puff was visiting the jail or was incarcerated at the time of the incident. The earliest record of Puff’s admittance to MCCI as an inmate stems from the aggravated assault and drug possession charges, according to Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Cynthia Scott.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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