Sentencing for Matthew James Meisheid, 41, of Kalona is set for 11:20 a.m. August 11 in Washington County District Court, where he was found guilty of two counts of assault on Persons in Certain Occupations by Using or Displaying a Firearm.  The verdict followed a two-day trial June 27-28 in district court with Judge Joshua P. Scarier presiding.

The case resulted from a call to Washington County Communications July 9, 2022, that fireworks were being fired from the Meisheid residence in Kalona; county deputies Nolan Burke and Noah Schlabaugh responded to warn Meisheid of the city ordinance regarding fireworks.  In response, Meisheid removed a handgun and raised it in the air, causing alarm with the deputies.  In their incident report, the deputies said Meisheid appeared “aggressive, swearing and upset” with them.  At that point, they reported they felt threatened, feared for their lives and drove from the scene to seek a warrant for Meisheid’s arrest. 

Meisheid was later arrested and charged with the two counts of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations by Using or Displaying a Firearm, each a Class D Felony.    Following the execution of the warrant at the residence July 12, 2022, Meisheid’s initial $10,000 bond was increased to $25,000 after law enforcement officers seized numerous firearms and a large quality of ammunition at the residence; the items were seized by the authorities in the interest of public safety.

Meisheid was released July 13 after posting the cash bail.  His initial arraignment in Washington District Court was set for August 5 following the preliminary hearing July 22, 2022; however, the trial date was reset several times until starting June 27,2023.  Bail was continued to the time of sentencing, where he could face up to five years in prison for each count.