CASPER, Wyo. — A 23-year-old Casper man is charged with felony interference for allegedly striking and attempting to disarm a Casper police officer during a foot chase downtown last week.
Trinity Stark Rowland was arrested after the takedown around 10:10 a.m. Jan. 31. Rowland is presumed innocent until proven or pleading guilty.
Rowland had recently been placed on probation for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and other misdemeanor charges. On Jan. 30, a probation agent contacted police about concerning statements Rowland had made about planning to leave the jurisdiction and join a vigilante militia to police the southern U.S. border, according to the affidavit.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson told the court last week at Rowland’s initial appearance that he’d also made statements concerning police violence and said, “‘There will be a bloodbath.’”
Officers located Rowland last Wednesday morning at the downtown Subway on Center Street. He fled on foot, prompting multiple law enforcement officers to give chase through the alleys downtown.
One officer contacted Rowland in the alley by the federal courthouse, after which Rowland “assumed a fighting stance,” according to the affidavit. The officer tackled Rowland, and in the ensuing struggle Rowland allegedly tried to grab the officer’s triple-locked firearm from its holster.
Nelson said in court that Rowland repeatedly struck the officer. Another officer arrived and brought the struggle to an end with a Taser, according to the affidavit.
Officer J. Ondich, who tackled Rowland, received stitches on his knee and was placed on light duty, but is doing well, CPD spokesperson Amber Freestone said Thursday. Officer Douglas is credited with the assist.
Rowland said in court that he remembers nothing about the incident.
Due to the “high level of violence” in Rowland’s alleged conduct and statements, Nelson asked for a $100,000 cash-only bond. Circuit Court Judge Kevin Taheri kept the bond at $100,000, but modified it with a surety option.
