WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man who police say was defying orders to get out of the road during a protest Saturday in Waupaca was charged Monday with several counts, including second-degree recklessly endangering safety for allegedly pointing a loaded weapon at an officer.
Matthew Banta, 23, made an initial appearance Monday in court, where a $10,000 cash bond was set. Banta is also charged with two counts of battery to a law enforcement officer, one count of resisting, and disorderly conduct. He returns to court Aug. 11 for a balance of initial appearance, court records show.
According to the criminal complaint, the protest started about 2 p.m. Saturday. It included about 30 people and ‘numerous vehicles.’ Police asked multiple people to stay out of the street while walking.
“Officers continued speaking with the protesters asking them to get out of the roadway and one said “We can keep you guys out here all day or you could just let us march”.
As VICTIM OFFICER approached and asked them to get out of the street. Banta then got in front of VICTIM OFFICER and said “You can do what you want, but we are going to continue to march”. Banta was advised that if he did not get out of the roadway, he would be under arrest and he continued to refuse to move. VICTIM OFFICER reached for his left arm to attempt to take him into custody and he immediately stepped backwards. He began going down the ditch shouting “Get the (expletive) off of me”.
VICTIM OFFICER reached for his backpack and as he began turning around he began raising his rifle. He fell onto his back at that point and began kicking at VICTIM OFFICER and struck him twice in the legs. He tried standing back up and as he was getting up he again began raising his rifle toward VICTIM OFFICER. VICTIM OFFICER reports he was then fearing for his life and others around me, he grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him onto the ground and held him to the ground. Banta was laying on his hands and the rifle was now underneath him. Banta was then moving his hands around and as though he was trying to manipulate the gun. We told him to get his hands off the gun. He kept shouting “Get off of me” “Help Me”.
The crowd began screaming saying to get off of him and other officers moved in to keep the crowd back. As VICTIM OFFICER began reaching for Banta’s hand and he bit the right forearm of VICTIM OFFICER causing pain.
Banta continued kicking at us and shouting “get off of me”. We were able to secure him in handcuffs and secure the rifle. The rifle was found to be loaded, had a bullet in the chamber and Banta had a total of 117 rounds of ammunition on his person. Banta also had an 8” straight blade knife in a sheath on his belt,” the complaint states.
The complaint does not include any post-arrest statement from Banta.
The officer was taken to the hospital to get the bite wound treated, according to the complaint.
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