UGA student kicked and pinched police officers while allegedly resisting arrest

By Joe Johnson

A University of Georgia student allegedly kicked and pinched police officers when she was being arrested in downtown Athens early the morning of April 25.

Nikita Kopula, 18, was arrested after an officer saw her walking in the middle of Clayton Street at about 1 a.m. and she presented him with a fraudulent driver’s license when asked for identification, according to a police report.

As the officer was taking her into custody, Kopula kicked an assisting officer “below the belt,” the report says, and “pinched officers trying to handcuff her.”

She was charged with obstruction, falsely identifying herself to police, and improper use of a roadway by a pedestrian.