Slate Ridge owner arrested following scuffle with authorities
PAWLET, Vt. (WCAX) - The owner of a former West Pawlet paramilitary training site was arrested Wednesday.
The Vermont State Police say Daniel Banyai, who has been wanted by police for months under an order by the Environmental Court, was encountered at about 2:20 p.m. by the Pawlet town constable near the intersection of state Routes 30 and 133 in Pawlet. They say a struggle ensued, and the constable was able to subdue Banyai with pepper spray and take him into custody.
After years of legal wrangling with the town and neighbors over alleged threats and unpermitted structures on his property, an Environmental Court judge ruled in November that Banyai was in contempt of court. He was ordered to turn himself in on December 22 but failed to comply.
In addition to not complying with taking down the unpermitted structures, Banyai continues to accrue thousands of dollars in fines. Following his arrest, Banyai was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center for evaluation. He was later taken to the Vermont State Police Barracks before finally being moved to the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility, where he’s now also facing charges of aggravated assault on a protected person and resisting arrest.
Banyai’s attorney did not immediately return a phone call from the AP seeking comment on Wednesday.
In response to Slate Ridge, a bill was passed in the Legislature making it a crime to own or operate paramilitary training camps in the state. Gov. Phil Scott signed it into law in May.
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