A Frankfort man received a felony charge for battery of a public safety officer with injury after kicking a Frankfort Police Department officer
in the face during a search for weapons.
On March 24 just after 11:30 a.m., Clinton County Central Dispatch reportedly received a call of a male yelling and screaming inside the Faith Family Church sanctuary located at 508 W. Green St. in Frankfort. Authorities report that once officers were dispatched the area, the man, who was later identified as Nathaniel Royer, 34, of Frankfort, left the church and began walking along the nearby streets.
Police report that officer Brett Waggoner located Royer near Hubble Street and Paris Street and exited his vehicle to vehicle when Royer attempted to enter the passenger side door of the police vehicle. Royer reportedly placed his hand on Waggoner’s head outside of the vehicle following the initial incident, authorities say.
Waggoner reportedly helped Royer to the ground while additional officers responded to the scene and began to place Royer in handcuffs to search his person for weapons. While the search was conducted near Royer’s waist, Royer reportedly lifted his leg and kicked Waggoner in the face, which led officers to escort Royer to the Clinton County Jail and Waggoner to IU Frankfort for medical evaluation.
Once cleared, Royer was transported to the jail for booking, and Corrections Officers and Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies assisted with handling Royer during the incident, police say.
Following the reports of the incident, the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges of battery of a public safety officer with injury, level 5 felony, resisting law enforcement, misdemeanor, and public intoxication, misdemeanor.
Royer was being held at the Clinton County Jail without bond as of March 27, and officers reported that Waggoner is set to make a full recovery from the event.