A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy Oct. 15 arrested Bradenton resident Matthew Bauer, 29, for alleged battery on a law enforcement officer.
An MCSO officer patrolling at the Bayfest festival on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria responded to complaints from festivalgoers that they were being harassed by Bauer, according to an MCSO report.
When the deputy asked him to stop harassing people, Bauer became belligerent and irate, touching his nose to the deputy’s nose and shouting obscenities and threats. The interaction with Bauer led to the deputy being hit with Bauer’s saliva, according to an arrest report.
The deputy attempted to place Bauer in handcuffs and, after a scuffle, Bauer was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail on a charge of third-degree battery on a law enforcement officer.
Bauer paid the $1,000 bail and was released pending a Nov. 11 court appearance.
Under Florida law, battery of a law enforcement officer is a third-degree felony, with penalties of up to five years in prison or five years of probation and a $5,000 fine.
— Robert Anderson