Alva Review-Courier -

A Kansas man is facing multiple charges after a physical altercation with park rangers at Little Sahara State Park (LSSP) at Waynoka.

Court papers show on May 6 about 11:50 p.m., Lt. Steve Rogers was on duty at Little Sahara State Park. He and Ranger Jack Hiel were conducting safety checks at the north dune gate. LSSP has two legal entry points, the south and north dune gates. The dune gates are posted with the rules and regulations that all park guests must follow. All beverages containing alcohol are strictly prohibited on the dune riding area.

While Rogers and Hiel were at the north dune gate, a white and black UTV entered to go out on the dune riding area. As he checked safety equipment, Rogers noticed the driver had slurred speech. Rogers asked if he had any alcohol in the vehicle, and he said he did not. Rogers had him turn off the vehicle and step out. As he exited the vehicle, Rogers saw a 24 oz. can of Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea in the seat he had been sitting on. He asked the driver if he knew alcoholic beverages were not allowed on the dune riding area, and he said no.

Hiel also found empty cups in the UTV that had an odor of alcohol. At that time, Rogers felt the man with his slurred speech, strong odor of alcohol and being deceitful about the alcoholic beverages in the UTV was a danger to himself and others. He was placed under arrest for public intoxication and handcuffed. The driver was later identified as Scott Brandt.

Brandt was becoming verbally aggressive and stated he wasn’t going to jail. He also stated he had been coming to LSSP since he was 14 years old. As Rogers and Hiel attempted to walk Brandt to the patrol vehicle, he became physically combative and had to be forcefully taken to the ground and restrained. It was during this time that Brandt struck Hiel in the mouth with his elbow causing injury to Hiel. At that time, Hiel went to get his patrol vehicle and parked closer so they could load Brandt in the transport seat.

Once Hiel returned, Brandt was stood on his feet, and the rangers attempted to walk him to the patrol vehicle. Brandt again became verbally aggressive and physically combative, repeatedly saying he wasn’t going to jail. Brandt again was forcefully taken to the ground and restrained. Hiel requested additional rangers to respond.

Ranger Fortney and Sgt. Penix arrived. Penix spoke with Brandt and tried to calm him down. Rogers noticed Brandt had another can of beer in the front pocket of his cargo shorts. As he attempted to remove it, Brandt started kicking his feet, kicking Rogers in the chest and knocking him back onto the ground. Hiel and Rogers regained control of his legs. There was a can of Michelob Ultra found in Brandt’s pocket and one that was found on the ground under Brandt. The four rangers attempted to carry Brandt to the transport seat of the patrol vehicle. Brandt began kicking his feet and became physically combative, causing Fortney and Hiel to lose their grip of his legs. Brandt was again placed on the ground.

Rogers and Fortney went to Rogers’ vehicle to retrieve a pair of leg restraints. Brandt became combative, and Rogers and Penix had to restrain him on the ground while the restraints were applied to his ankles. Brandt then said he would walk to the patrol vehicle if they would allow him to stand up. Brandt was rolled onto his side and sat up. The rangers assisted him to his feet, and Brandt walked to the vehicle but refused to get in, continuing to say he was not going to jail. Rogers drew and activated his Taser, warning Brandt if he didn’t get into the transport seat he would be tased. Brandt calmed down, and the rangers were able to turn him with his back toward the seat. Brandt refused to get in because he said he was too big and would not fit. Due to Brandt’s size, the rangers removed the leg restraints so they could get him up into the transport seat. The rangers attempted to talk with Brandt to de-escalate his anger. He would calm down and at one point started crying but then would become angry again.

Rogers spoke to the female passenger of the UTV Brandt had been driving. She said Brandt shouldn’t act that way, and he is taking medication for his anger. She said he acts like that when he drinks. She was released to other members of their group.

Fortney drove the dune patrol vehicle back to the south campground to retrieve his patrol vehicle, which has a larger transport seat. The rangers were able to get Brandt in the seat with the seatbelt fastened. Fortney and Penix began to transport Brandt to the Woods County Sheriff’s Office. Then Penix radioed for additional units to respond to the Jiffy Trip in Waynoka because his rear left window was kicked out. Penix said as they drove through Waynoka, Brandt became angry because he wanted to the cuffed in the front and was able to kick out the rear left door window of the vehicle.

Brandt was removed from Fortney’s vehicle and placed in Hiel’s patrol vehicle. Hiel and Penix then took Brandt to the Woods County Jail. At the jail, Brandt was treated by the Alva EMS for a minor cut on his foot next to his big toe.

Scott Karl Brandt, 35, of Nickerson, Kansas, has been charged with aggravated assault and battery upon a peace officer for striking Hiel in the mouth with his elbow. Hiel suffered damage to his front teeth. Brandt is also charged with assault on a police officer for striking Rogers in the chest with his feet. Both charges are felonies. The aggravated assault charge is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The assault charge is punishable by a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

In addition, Brandt is facing three misdemeanor charges: (1) public intoxication, (2) obstructing an officer and (3) malicious injury to property.