A Burlington police officer is recovering in the hospital
A Burlington police officer is recovering in the hospital after being assaulted by a citizen. Police say it happened around 1:30 am Saturday when police officers and a community service officer were at a foot patrol. Investigators say Michael Gbenusola, 41, of Swanton, was walking south on Church Street yelling racial slurs and swear words, and when the officer asked if he was OK, police say Gbenusola swore at him and then violently punched the officer in the face, knocking him backward. The officer warned him not to approach him and then used his Taser on him. Additional officers arrived on the scene preventing Gbenusola from continuing his assault. According to his criminal history, he has three failures to Appear, six violations of court orders, six felony charges, nine misdemeanors and two charges for assaultive crimes. He is being held without bail.