HAMPTON BAYS, NY – A Hampton Bays man has been convicted of assaulting two Southampton Town police officers following a vehicle pursuit that ended back at his residence, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Terrell Harris, 39, of Hampton Bays, was found guilty on Thursday, August 20, 2026, of two counts of second-degree assault, resisting arrest and other charges following a jury trial before Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns.
The case stems from an incident during the early morning hours of October 19, 2025, when a Southampton Town police officer responded to Harris’ residence in Hampton Bays.
According to prosecutors, Harris drove away in a Ford SUV as the officer arrived. A records check subsequently showed that Harris had a revoked license and outstanding warrants related to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
About an hour later, the officer located Harris outside the Hampton Bays Public Library. When the officer approached the SUV on foot and a second Southampton Town police officer arrived to assist, Harris drove away at a high rate of speed, prosecutors said.
The officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and pursued Harris. Prosecutors said Harris exceeded the speed limit during the pursuit before eventually returning to his residence and stopping in his driveway.
When officers attempted to take him into custody, Harris became combative and repeatedly punched both officers, causing injuries, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Additional officers responded and were ultimately able to subdue and arrest him.
Both injured officers were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment.
Additional information released by the Southampton Town Police Department after the October incident provides further details about the confrontation. Police said Harris was initially being sought on outstanding warrants from multiple agencies, including Southampton Town Police, New York State Police, East Hampton Village Police and authorities in Westchester County. Police also reported that during the struggle, an officer’s Taser fell from its holster and Harris grabbed it before another officer prevented him from using it.
The original police account said Harris was also taken to a hospital for treatment of a hand injury before being transported to Southampton Town Police Headquarters. He initially faced a broader group of charges following his arrest, including driving while intoxicated, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Federal court records show the criminal case also briefly reached the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York earlier this year after Harris, acting without an attorney, attempted to remove his state prosecution to federal court. A federal judge rejected the effort in February 2026 and remanded the case to Suffolk County Court.
Following the August 20 jury verdict, Harris was convicted of:
- Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies
- Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor
- Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, an unclassified misdemeanor
- Speeding, an infraction
“Today, a jury found this defendant guilty of failing to comply with officer’s commands and violently assaulting the officers who tried to take him into custody,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in announcing the verdict. “Assaults on law enforcement in Suffolk County will never be tolerated, and my office will hold dangerous individuals like this fully accountable.”
Harris was remanded into custody following the verdict. He is scheduled to return to court on September 22, 2026, for sentencing and faces up to seven years in prison on the top charge.
Key Facts & Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Terrell Harris, 39, of Hampton Bays |
| Incident Date | October 19, 2025 |
| Location | Hampton Bays, Town of Southampton, Suffolk County |
| Police Agency | Southampton Town Police Department |
| Incident | Vehicle pursuit followed by a physical confrontation with officers attempting to make an arrest |
| Officer Injuries | Two Southampton Town police officers were injured and treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center |
| Verdict Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Top Convictions | Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies |
| Other Convictions | Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, and Speeding |
| Court | Suffolk County Supreme Court |
| Judge | Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns |
| Custody Status | Remanded following the jury verdict |
| Sentencing Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Maximum Exposure | Up to 7 years in prison on the top charge |
| Prosecuting Office | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office |
The October 2025 incident was documented at the time by the Southampton Town Police Department. Federal court records concerning Harris’ unsuccessful attempt to remove the prosecution from state court are also publicly available.
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