Michael R. Kopp, 27, Kaukauna, was charged in Waupaca County Circuit Court with discharging bodily fluids at a public safety worker, battery of an officer and criminal damage to property.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, a security worker working for Wolf River Trips in Mukwa contacted Reserve Deputies Katelyn Dexter and Jacob Haag, who were patrolling the area on foot. 

The security worker told the deputies a man in a rented inner tube had been yelling and swearing at other people who were in the Wolf River. When the security worker attempted to speak with the man, later identified as Kopp, he swore at him, according to the criminal complaint.

As they were standing beside the river, the deputies noticed that Kopp appeared to be asleep in his tube. The security worker then went out into the river and pulled Kopp back toward the shore. Kopp woke up and began yelling and flailing his arms at the security worker, the complaint says.

The two deputies went to assist the security worker, attempting to control Kopp. 

He allegedly struggled with the deputies, Dexter deployed pepper spray into Kopp’s eyes, he shouted obscenities and threatened to kill Dexter, and the deputies escorted Kopp to the ground.

According to the criminal complaint, Kopp began kicking violently and spitting on the deputies, even as two more deputies arrived to assist.

Because Kopp was kicking, the deputies wanted to place him in leg restraints, but there were none available.

A bystander, Judge John Mazuroski of Black Creek, helped the deputies by holding down Kopp’s legs. The judge also provided them with a belt to secure his legs.

Kopp could spend up to six years in prison if convicted of battery of an officer.

He has also been charged as a repeat offender and his sentence increased by two to four years.

Kopp was convicted of misdemeanor battery in Calumet County in April 2012, resisting an officer in Outagamie County in October 2009, possession of marijuana in Outagamie County in August 2008, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Outagamie County in May 2007.

He currently faces charges in Outagamie County of discharging bodily fluids at an officer, resisting an officer and disorderly conduct from a Jan. 1 incident and felony bail jumping and disorderly conduct from a June 23 incident.