‘Sovereign citizen’ denies resisting arrest

A Wisconsin man who allegedly refused to be arrested in Grand Meadow on Aug. 31 pleaded not guilty to three charges Thursday in Mower County Court.

Martin Wayne Chapman, 50, of Balsam Lake, pleaded not guilty to felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor neglect of a child and gross misdemeanor resisting arrest.

A Grand Meadow officer first attempted to stop Chapman after he clocked him going 68 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to the sheriff’s report. Chapman then pulled onto the Valley Transportation property west of Grand Meadow and allegedly refused to get out of the car or show his hands. According to the court complaint, Chapman said he is a “sovereign citizen” and would not recognize the officer’s authority. Chapman then left Valley Transportation, and deputies arrived and followed. Chapman allegedly went south on 740th Avenue near Grand Meadow, crossed the centerline and nearly struck another vehicle. Deputies were able to block Chapman’s path as he pulled into the parking lot of the SKB Lounge; however, Chapman continually refused to get out of the car, according to the complaint. He told officers “I do not acknowledge your use of force,” the complaint adds.

After officers watched Chapman reach for the glove box several times, they smashed the car window and pulled Chapman out.

Chapman’s pretrial is Jan. 4.

SportsPlus

Business

Guided to Serve: For 25 years Theresa Turnbull has been a trusted soul at Comforcare

Mower County

New mobile app launches to combat food insecurity in Mower County

Mower County

Report on sanitary sewer evaluation given during City Council work session

Agriculture

Kimberly Vrieze joins membership of American Angus Association

Education

Education Briefs

News

Trump’s foreign aid freeze could prove to be a boon for the world’s authoritarian strongmen

Mower County

Austin firefighters battle southwest Austin fire, APD investigating

Mower County

Public hearing set for March 3 regarding addition to Nature Ridge Fourth development

News

Another week to be shaped by court fight over power dynamic within Minnesota Legislature

Mower County

PHOTOS: APDT hosts annual dance show

News

Democrats elect Ken Martin, the party leader in Minnesota, as national chair

Mower County

Love is in the air: Austin Area Foundation to celebrate annual For The Love of Austin

Mower County

YMCA at ACRC celebrates 5th anniversary with special event for community, members and donors

Mower County

Herald collects five awards at this year’s MNA convention

Mower County

Zonta Club of Austin offering a pair of opportunities

Mower County

State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation accepting Century Farm Applications

Mower County

In Your Community: Masons continue supporting Salvation Army food shelf

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 20-27

News

Report: Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions bounced back after pandemic, still below 2019 level

News

Flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough down, norovirus still up

News

Trump says he’ll place tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China on Saturday