A Punta Gorda man was arrested after being accused of making threats against law enforcement on Facebook and attacking a police dog on Tuesday.
According to a Charlotte County Sheriff's Office report, Matthew Mead, 38, called the sheriff's office requesting to speak with a sergeant to "make sure law enforcement is on the same page as him."
The report states Mead wanted to ensure law enforcement wouldn't pull him over for a suspended license.
Mead told the sergeant he was giving a warning that deputies had two seconds to step away from his car before a bullet goes through his door, however, no deputies were present at the time, the report said.
Deputies say Mead was unhappy with law enforcement and told them the next deputy/officer to pull him over was going to get shot.
Mead reportedly expressed extreme ideologies, stating he will "'live free or die', even if it means he loses his life in the process."
Deputies say that during the phone call, Mead made a Facebook post stating, "It's official! Extortion is going to meet bullets!! *expletive* that drivers license...warning to pigs...make contact...get shot."
Based on the threats Mead made, deputies began an investigation.
The next day, on Wednesday around 6:20 p.m., deputies responded to a home in Punta Gorda after deputies followed Mead there, who was driving a vehicle towing an enclosed trailer.
Deputies say they then attempted a traffic stop on Wheeler Place, but Mead didn't stop.
CCSO says they were able to blow the right front tire of the vehicle with stopsticks.
Mead finally stopped on Jones Loop Road before getting into the back of the trailer he was towing. Deputies say they feared there could be weapons inside, but did not know.
After several failed attempts to use a stun gun on Mead, deputies say a K-9 police dog was sent into the trailer to help detain the suspect. They say Mead began striking the dog with a chair. He then reportedly grabbed ahold of the dog's collar and harness and put him in a headlock.
Mead refused to let go after deputies said they commanded him to. Mead then walked the dog towards the deputies before letting him go.
Mead was then arrested and taken to the Charlotte County Jail, where he is facing charges of:
- Using a deadly weapon on a police dog.
- Causing bodily harm to a police dog.
- Sending a written threat to kill.
- Violate domestic violence injunction; possession of firearm or ammo.
Reports say Mead told deputies he did those things because he "wanted to be left alone."
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