GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Matthew Banta was sentenced Friday to 90 days in jail for his actions during a protest in Green Bay.
Banta was convicted of misdemeanor counts of obstructing and bail jumping. He was placed on probation for two years, according to a court official.
According to the criminal complaint, Banta was part of a group marching downtown on Aug. 29, 2020, in what had been declared an unlawful assembly. Banta was part of a group of four individuals with wooden bats and an “antifa” flag. He allegedly ignored commands from police to stop, but eventually was arrested.
Police described Banta as having a flamethrower, but he has disputed that, calling it a ‘hand torch’ without a propulsion system.
The protests were in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.
Banta also faces five charges, including recklessly endangering safety, in Waupaca County after a confrontation with police there during an Aug. 1, 2020 demonstration. A motions hearing on evidence in the case is scheduled for Nov. 11. No trial date has been set.
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