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A Nebraska City police officer faces charges in Otoe County court for allegedly tackling a fan at the Nebraska City Rampage mixed martial arts event held April 9 at the old Alco building.
Special prosecutor Randall Ritnour filed charges of misdemeanor assault and oppression under color of office against Dean Scheideler, 34, who was working security as a uniformed, off-duty police officer.
Mike Frakes, 22, of Nebraska City told investigators that he “flipped the officer off” as he was leaving the event.
He said Scheideler ran after him through the parking lot, put him in a headlock and drove him to the pavement.
Frakes said he is seeking medical treatment for injuries he says he suffered when Scheideler landed on top of him.
The 140-pound Frakes said he could hear Scheidler asking “do you think you're tough Frakes” and said he heard another officer ordering him not to resist.
Frakes said he was face down on the pavement with his hands behind his back, so he did not have opportunity to resist.
He said we was only able to get up after Otoe County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Shimmel pulled Scheideler off of him.
Frakes, who had attended the fight event to see his cousin compete, said fans seemed to be enjoying themselves when there was a commotion over someone allegedly bumping into a girl.
He said Scheideler pulled the fan aside and Frake's 16-year-old sister went to ask him why.
Frakes said the officer was rude to the girl, so he yelled at him to stop messing with his family.
Later, he said, Scheideler had escorted another man outside of the arena entrance when Frakes walked by.
Frakes said he made the offensive hand gesture as he was leaving the building.
Frakes said he does not know how the atmosphere at the fight event affected the officer, but it did not put him in a hostile mood.
He said he was upset because he felt the officer was singling out his family, but he was in no mood to brawl.
“The only fight I saw involving the audience was when he came at me. I call that excessive force,” Frakes said.
Josh Wright, owner of the Northwest Fight Club, said he was unaware of any incidents involving Scheideler.
He said it is important to have a “family friendly” atmosphere at events and said off-duty police officers are welcomed volunteers.
He said there was a commotion at one point in the evening, but it was promptly settled.Scheideler is scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 18.
Nebraska City Police Chief David Lacy declined comment on the case.
Ritnour said he filed charges following the completion of an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.
A Nebraska City police officer faces charges in Otoe County court for allegedly tackling a fan at the Nebraska City Rampage mixed martial arts event held April 9 at the old Alco building.
Special prosecutor Randall Ritnour filed charges of misdemeanor assault and oppression under color of office against Dean Scheideler, 34, who was working security as a uniformed, off-duty police officer.
Mike Frakes, 22, of Nebraska City told investigators that he “flipped the officer off” as he was leaving the event.
He said Scheideler ran after him through the parking lot, put him in a headlock and drove him to the pavement.
Frakes said he is seeking medical treatment for injuries he says he suffered when Scheideler landed on top of him.
The 140-pound Frakes said he could hear Scheidler asking “do you think you're tough Frakes” and said he heard another officer ordering him not to resist.
Frakes said he was face down on the pavement with his hands behind his back, so he did not have opportunity to resist.
He said we was only able to get up after Otoe County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Shimmel pulled Scheideler off of him.
Frakes, who had attended the fight event to see his cousin compete, said fans seemed to be enjoying themselves when there was a commotion over someone allegedly bumping into a girl.
He said Scheideler pulled the fan aside and Frake's 16-year-old sister went to ask him why.
Frakes said the officer was rude to the girl, so he yelled at him to stop messing with his family.
Later, he said, Scheideler had escorted another man outside of the arena entrance when Frakes walked by.
Frakes said he made the offensive hand gesture as he was leaving the building.
Frakes said he does not know how the atmosphere at the fight event affected the officer, but it did not put him in a hostile mood.
He said he was upset because he felt the officer was singling out his family, but he was in no mood to brawl.
“The only fight I saw involving the audience was when he came at me. I call that excessive force,” Frakes said.
Josh Wright, owner of the Northwest Fight Club, said he was unaware of any incidents involving Scheideler.
He said it is important to have a “family friendly” atmosphere at events and said off-duty police officers are welcomed volunteers.
He said there was a commotion at one point in the evening, but it was promptly settled.Scheideler is scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 18.
Nebraska City Police Chief David Lacy declined comment on the case.
Ritnour said he filed charges following the completion of an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.
