By Jacob Mathias

A Nekoosa man is charged with obstructing an officer after allegedly lying to a police officer

Kale Stewart failed to make his scheduled initial appearance in Wood County Circuit Court on December 14 for charges of obstructing an officer and misdemeanor bail jumping. An arrest warrant was issued and a $1,000 cash bond was set. Stewart has since appeared in court and posted bail.

For the misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer and two counts of bail jumping, Stewart faces a sentence of up to nine months imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine or both per charge if convicted.

According to court documents, on November 26 at 12:30 AM, a Wood County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the intersection of Port Road and Seneca Road in Port Edwards to investigate a report of a man in a ditch. The deputy found Stewart lying against a telephone pole with multiple dollar bills and cigarettes scattered around him.

The deputy awoke Stewart who refused to identify himself. He eventually told officers he had no first name and identified himself as Stewart Stewart. He said he wouldn’t answer the deputy’s questions.

Stewart reportedly exuded the odor of intoxicants and had glossy eyes.

A Nekoosa Police officer eventually arrived and positively identified Stewart as he’d had previous contacts with the defendant.

At the time of this arrest, Stewart was free on  two $500 cash bonds. One for charges of driving with a revoked license in August and the other for charges of possession of THC and drug paraphernalia during the same month.

Stewart returns to court for his initial appearance on January 4 at 9:00 AM.

This case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.