Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a violent and chaotic incident earlier this week that put officers and the public at risk, according to court records.

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Kaden J. Gayheart, 23, made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon before Court Commissioner William Michel II. Michel set Gayheart’s bail at $7,500 cash, which he posted Friday. He is now out of custody pending further proceedings.

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According to a criminal complaint filed by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, officers responded Monday night to the 5100 block of 7th Avenue for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries. Officers arrived to find a black Dodge Charger driven by Gayheart crashed into a wooden utility pole, which had snapped and dropped live electrical wires across the scene.

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The complaint alleges that Gayheart initially appeared unconscious but later regained consciousness and refused to comply with officers’ repeated commands to show his hands and exit the vehicle. Officers said Gayheart struck one officer’s hand, behaved erratically, and reached around the vehicle as if attempting to conceal a weapon. They believed he may have been armed with a handheld blowtorch.

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Despite live power lines draped over the vehicle and surrounding residences, Gayheart allegedly put the car in drive and repeatedly tried to flee, revving the engine and spinning the tires. Officers deployed pepper spray, deflated the Charger’s tires, and eventually removed him from the vehicle after a high-risk stop.

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A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, a cut straw containing residue, and a glass pipe with burnt material.

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Gayheart is charged with seven counts:

• Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, a Class G felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine;
• Attempting to Flee or Elude an Officer, a Class H felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine;
• Failure to Comply with Officer’s Attempt to Take Person into Custody, a Class I felony punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine;
• Obstructing an Officer, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine;
• Resisting an Officer, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine;
• Possession of Cocaine, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine;
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

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At Gayheart’s initial appearance, the charges of Attempting to Flee or Elude an Officer and Failure to Comply with an Officer’s Attempt to Take Person into Custody were dismissed without prejudice. Prosecutors indicated they intend to refile the Attempting to Flee or Elude charge.

If convicted of the remaining charges, Gayheart also faces mandatory suspension of his driver’s license. He is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks.

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