Jan. 5—A Mentor man has changed his plea to guilty for attempted assault of a police officer in a 2022 incident on Lost Nation Road in Willoughby.

According to court documents, David Koubeck entered the change of plea on Jan. 4 in Lake County Common Pleas Court. Judge Jeffrey Ruple accepted the plea and Koubeck is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4.

The fifth-degree felony carries the possibility of 6 to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Willoughby Police Chief James Schultz confirmed on Sept. 10, 2022, one of his officers was being assaulted by an uncooperative driver who had been pulled over for speeding. During the struggle, several motorists stopped and four men got out of their vehicles to help her subdue the suspect, identified as Koubeck.

“I can’t say enough and there aren’t enough words to show my appreciation for these people who went into a dangerous situation and put themselves at potential risk to help a police officer,” Schultz said. “(The officer) is very good at her job and she is a fighter and I am sure she would have handled the situation, but if nobody stopped and helped, it may have escalated.”

According to the incident report, on Sept. 10 at approximately 4:24 p.m., the officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle registered to Koubeck in the area of Lost Nation Road near Lake County Executive Airport.

She stated in the report she requested his driver’s license and proof of insurance at which point Koubeck exited the vehicle and stated he got out “to get my driver’s license.”

The report continued that Koubeck’s behavior become agitated and his tone of voice changed. The officer told him to walk over to the tree lawn and have a seat, and while he did walk over he refused to sit down.

Koubeck then reportedly turned to face the officer and proceeded to scream, “I’m not sitting! I’m not sitting!” He then approached her and the two pushed each other with him refusing to step back

The report stated that at one point he struck the officer in the face and continued to attack.

That is when the first motorist stopped and aided in bringing Koubeck to the ground. Additional motorists also stopped and assisted.

A patrolman arrived on scene to assist, at which time they were successful in detaining Koubeck in handcuffs, the report stated.

In the report, Koubeck stated he was “having a bad day,” but was fully aware she was a police officer. He denied punching her and stated he wasn’t trying to hurt the officer. He was trying to comply.

Initially, Koubeck was charged with assault on a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a first-degree misdemeanor. He also received a ticket for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.