SEQUIM –– Matthew K. McDaniel, 27, was being held in Clallam County jail without bond this morning after allegedly shoving a Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy in Railroad Bridge Park.
McDaniel is being held for investigation of third-degree assault for allegedly attacking an officer. He also faces a charge of second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.
According to a report Monday morning from Clallam County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ron Cameron, McDaniel yelled obscenities and advanced on Deputy Mark Millet shortly before midnight Sunday at the park at , 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
Millet was on a routine nighttime patrol of the park to make sure it was empty. The park, sponsored by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, closes at dark.
Cameron said Millet approached McDaniel’s vehicle, which was parked on the road near the main parking lot.
As Millet approached the car, McDaniel allegedly began yelling obscenities and advancing toward Millet after being ordered by Millet to stay at the car, Cameron’s report stated.
McDaniel allegedly pushed the deputy before Millet deployed his Taser weapon to subdue McDaniel.
McDaniel was later taken into custody by other responding officers.
Cameron’s report said McDaniel is a transient who was sleeping in the park.
Powell Jones, director of the Dungeness River Audubon Center at the park, said it is patrolled regularly after dark and is rarely used by transients.
“Every once in a while, we have somebody pull in to try to sleep one off,” Jones said.
Cameron’s report said investigators found a loaded Springfield XD .40 pistol with 16 rounds of ammunition, along with evidence of alcohol and marijuana, while searching McDaniel’s car after they impounded it.
A court appearance for McDaniel had not been set as of press time.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
