‘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

Mower County

100 years of serving: VFW Post 1216 to hold century celebration next weekend

Mower County

Assessment to gauge future approaches to health

Mower County

Statewide pheasant numbers similar to 2023

Mower County

Political campaign, advertisement signs not permitted on public highway rights of way

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Aug. 19-Sept. 2

Business

Tidal Wave Auto Spa partners with Autism Friendly Austin for annual Charity Day event

Agriculture

3rd graders to experience local farming at annual Day on the Farm event

Albert Lea

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Albert Lea to close next week

Mower County

Ikes hog roast fundraiser Wednesday

Mower County

Cedar Arts Fest features 17 artists, authors

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: St. Marks hosting variety show

News

Bringing back ‘bio supermarkets’: Program helps landowners restore vanished wetlands

News

Let the hues begin: Fall foliage colors coming to Minnesota in 3, 2, 1 …

News

Human remains believed to be hundreds of years old found on shores of Minnesota lake

News

A rare 1787 copy of the US Constitution is up for auction and it could be worth millions

News

Trump suggests tariffs can help solve rising child care costs in a major economic speech

News

Teen charged in Georgia school shooting and his father to stay in custody after hearings

News

Sluggish US jobs report clears the way for Federal Reserve to cut interest rates

News

Abortion rights questions are on ballots in 9 states. Will they tilt elections?

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Man gets prison time for weapons, drugs charges

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Austin man sentenced to five years for role in Albert Lea armed robbery

Business

Austin Utilities earns award for operational excellence