In a plot twist that surprises absolutely no one, Matthew Mead, a resident of Charlotte County, decided to dial 911, not for an emergency, but to express his strong displeasure with law enforcement after racking up multiple traffic infractions in Volusia County.
He even went so far as to promise the sergeant on the other end of the line that he would shoot any officer who crossed his path.
Not content with just phone threats, Mead took his rage to Facebook, tagging the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in his posts.
Read: Florida Amber Alert Still Active For Zachary Bernhardt, 24 Years Later
Bold move. Deputies, unimpressed by his social media bravado, attempted a traffic stop on September 4, but Mead, living up to his newfound ‘action hero’ persona, led deputies on a thrilling chase that ended with stop sticks and a foot race to his home.
The excitement didn’t end there! Mead resisted arrest, tussled with a deputy, brandished a chair like a medieval warrior, and even took a swing at a police dog (K9 Banzai, thankfully, is fine). Taser, meet Mead. Twice.
The cherry on top? Deputies found marijuana in plain sight and a firearm inside his trailer. Turns out, threatening law enforcement isn’t the only thing Mead is bad at.
“If you make threats to harm – and especially to kill – my deputies, you will be held accountable. Thankfully, this individual was taken into custody before he was able to follow through on any of his threats. K9 Banzai is doing well, and I commend my deputies who showed tremendous restraint in how they apprehended the suspect, despite his violent attacks and attempts to resist,” said Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell.
Read: Florida Man’s Attempt To ‘Spice Up’ Neighborhood Watch Lands Him In Monroe County Jail
Mead is currently chilling (or not) in the Charlotte County Jail, held without bond. He’s facing a laundry list of charges, including:
- Battery on Officer Firefighter EMT (x2)
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude LEO
- Resisting Officer Without Violence
- Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams
- Drug Paraphernalia – Possession or Use Of
- Send Written Threats to Kill
- Violate Domestic Violence Injunction Possess Firearm or Ammo
- Using Deadly Weapon on Police Dog
- Causing Bodily Harm to Police Dog
- Corruption by Threat Against Public Servant (x2) – FHP
- Use 2 Way Communication Device to Facilitate Felony (3) – FHP
And there might be even more charges coming from other law enforcement agencies.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.