Man charged with destroying county property

Law enforcement officials responded to a call about a domestic altercation in Cherokee on Saturday, April 8. They arrested Steven Clint Mathis, 38, charging him with a felony and three misdemeanors.

According to court documents, Cherokee Assistant Police Chief Ryan McNeil responded to 115 W. Seventh about 8:20 p.m. A caller said officers were needed as soon as possible. When McNeil arrived, he could see into the house through the front door where he observed a man holding another man on the floor of the living room. McNeil asked dispatch to send another officer to the location.

When McNeil entered the house, he learned Byron Mathis was holding his son, Steven Mathis, down on the floor. Byron said he took this action to protect himself and his wife Carolyn, Steven’s mother. Carolyn said the problem was that Steven had consumed way too much alcohol.

When Steven did not comply with orders to roll over on his stomach and put his hands behind his back, McNeil threatened to use his Taser. Steven then rolled over and allowed himself to be handcuffed. McNeil noted that Steven had an odor of alcohol and his clothing was in disarray and dirty. He also stated Steven displayed a belligerent attitude. McNeil escorted Steven out of the house with the help of Byron and seated him on the front steps.

While McNeil was questioning Steven, he held his hands out and said to get the handcuffs off him because he was a C.I. (confidential informant). Steven remained uncooperative and would not get into the patrol car because he wanted to talk to his parents. McNeil continued try to get Steven in the patrol car, and Steven said he would hurt him. McNeil told Steven he was being recorded on a police body cam. Steven then took a seat in the patrol car.

Steven said he wanted to speak to Sheriff Rick Wallace who had arrived to assist and was told he could do so at the jail. As McNeil began to close the door, Steven blocked it with his foot. Sheriff Wallace told him to put his foot in the car, and he complied. While the officers spoke with Byron and Carolyn Mathis, Steven began striking the interior of the patrol car and was told to stop by Wallace.

At the jail, Steven remained belligerent, telling McNeil he was wrong and staring at him.

Deputy Loren Nusser helped escort Steven Mathis into the jail. He pat searched Mathis, removing cash, cigarettes, a wallet and an cellphone which were placed on the counter. He was instructed not to touch it. Nusser stepped out of the booking area to talk to Sheriff Wallace. When he returned, he saw Mathis talking on his cellphone. Nusser told the booking officer this was to be considered one of his two phone calls.

Nusser allowed the call to continue for another minute, then told Mathis to hang up. Mathis told the person on the other end to get him out of there before there was a fight. He handed to the phone to Nusser and told him to talk to the person. Nusser told the person the call was over and hung up. Mathis told Nusser he had “f—d up” and that he was going to lose his job for doing that. Mathis told Nusser to leave the room or stop staring at him. Nusser did not leave, telling Mathis he was now in jail and was not the one giving the orders. Mathis flipped Nusser off and told him to get out of the room or they were going to fight. After that the rest of the booking process when relatively smoothly, according to Nusser.

When Mathis was being escorted into the jail, he struck a metal plate that had been used to patch a hole in the wall, denting the plate. Nusser photographed the damage and was told by Sheriff Wallace to file charges for the destruction of county property.

Steven Clint Mathis has been charged with injuring a public building, a felony. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to 25 years.

Mathis has been charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, a misdemeanor, for making verbal threats to McNeil and Nusser. Each count is punishable by by a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

He has also been charged with obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor, for obstructing McNeil in the performance of his official duty by refusing to obey lawful commands on several occasions. This crime is punishable by imprisonment up to one year or up to $500, or both.