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Friday, March 29, 2024

Irate wheelchair-bound homeless man takes a swing at sheriff’s deputy

Michael Ray Chapman

A homeless man spent Wednesday night in the Marion County Jail after he took a swing at a sheriff’s deputy who was called to stop him from loitering in front of a Fort McCoy convenience store.

A Marion County deputy encountered Michael Ray Chapman, 61, who was sitting in a wheelchair outside the Circle K store at 14780 NE Hwy. 315. Chapman was drinking an alcoholic beverage and had numerous empty cans on the ground next to his wheelchair, according to a sheriff’s office report.

The deputy issued Chapman a trespass warning at the request of the store manager. As the deputy asked him if he needed a ride to the hospital, Chapman became very aggressive and said he was going to smack the deputy “upside the head.” Chapman then lunged toward the deputy and attempted to punch him with a closed fist but missed. He then stood up from his wheelchair and got into a fighting stance with both fists balled up.

The deputy immediately assisted Chapman back down into his wheelchair and tried to handcuff him, but he resisted by locking his arms in front of his body. Chapman was eventually handcuffed and taken to jail without incident.

Chapman was charged with two misdemeanors: simple assault on an officer and resisting an officer without violence. He was released the next day with credit for time served. No court date was set.