Jury convicts Kalona man who brandished gun in fireworks call

KALONA — Kalona resident Matthew Meisheid was found guilty Wednesday on two counts of assaulting an officer by displaying a firearm, following a two-day jury trial. Meisheid pleaded not guilty in his written arraignment.

In affidavits filed for the case, police officers said they were called to Meisheid’s house on July 9, 2022 after reports of fireworks being used in violation of the city ordinance. The officers said the 41-year-old man was “agitated, aggressive, swearing, and upset with us, and law enforcement in general,” when they arrived.

When approached by officers asking him to comply with the ordinance, Meisheid “removed a handgun and raised it in the air, causing alarm with the deputies,” according to a news release from the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

“This is a win for the people of Washington County and especially the citizens of Kalona,” said Assistant Washington County Attorney Shane McChurch, who prosecuted the case on the state’s behalf. “Firearm violence has no place in our community and will continue to be aggressively prosecuted. I commend the deputies who responded to the call for service, and for their outstanding professionalism in handling the Defendant’s volatile and dangerous actions.”

When police officers returned to the house July 12, 2022 with a search warrant looking for weapons, they seized “numerous firearms and a large amount of ammunition,” according to the Attorney’s Office news release. An 8-page court document detailing the items listed 116 guns, cases, and bags of ammunition found around the house.

The news release said Meisheid “faces five years in prison on each count.” In an email to news media, Washington County Attorney Nathan Repp said a sentencing date would likely be scheduled in 6-8 weeks.

The convicted offenses are Class D felonies, each punishable by “confinement for no more than five years” and a fine ranging from $750-$7,500, according to the Iowa Legislative Services Agency’s overview of criminal law.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com