Tampa man punches officer while fleeing courthouse

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say a man ran from his sentencing hearing in a Tampa courthouse and punched an officer in the face.

The Tampa Bay Times reports 25-year-old Adam Manuel Le Raicies was in court Monday for his sentencing hearing on charges of giving false information to law enforcement.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies say Raicies became "loud and belligerent" when Circuit Judge Dick Grego gave him probation. When the judge said he threated to have him arrested for contempt of court, Raicies took off.

Deputies say bailiffs and two police officers chased him to the second-floor elevator before three other officers stopped him. During a struggle, authorities say Raicies punched Officer Josh Baar in the face.

Raicies went back before the judge and was charged with assault on an officer.