Staff Report

WARSAW — An Etna Green man is facing an intimidation charge among others after an incident in which he tried to harm a police dog and threatened to kill officers.

Geoffery Ellis Riddle

Geoffery Ellis Riddle, 32, 9462 N. SR 19, Apt. 37, Etna Green, is facing charges of intimidation, a Level 6 Felony; two of resisting law enforcement, both Class A Misdemeanors; interference with a law enforcement animal, a Class A Misdemeanor; invasion of privacy, a Class A Misdemeanor; and criminal trespass, a Class A Misdemeanor.

According to a probable cause affidavit, on Dec. 22, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy asked a Warsaw Police officer and his K9 to help serve a warrant in the county. A Milford Police officer was at the scene of a no-trespass order and protective order violation at a woman’s home.

Riddle was at her home and refusing to leave. The woman had a no-contact order from June 1 against Riddle and a no-trespass order from April 12.

Officers surrounded the home, and Riddle ran out from the home and tried to run from officers even when they warned him to stop and that there was a K9. The officer’s K9 was deployed.

The dog went to stop Riddle, who fell on it.

According to court paperwork, Riddle grabbed the dog and appeared to try to choke him. Riddle wouldn’t let go of the dog, so an officer used a Taser on Riddle.

Riddle fought with officers, and the dog bit him. Officers finally restrained Riddle, and the dog let go of him. Officers called EMS out.

Riddle then said he would shoot an officer with the officer’s gun and told other officers he would kill them with their own guns if it was a one-on-one fight.

Riddle has several other court cases pending against him related to alleged harassment and abuse against the woman whose house he was visiting.

He was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 22 on a more than $5,000 surety and cash bond.