Matthew K. McDaniel

Matthew K. McDaniel, a 28 year-old-man that was prematurely released Feb. 4 while facing charges of assaulting a deputy, was taken into custody about 10 a.m this morning after he turned himself in, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Office officials.

McDaniel presented himself to the sheriff’s office and was taken into custody without incident.  

An arrest warrant was issued for McDaniel on Tuesday afternoon by the Clallam County Superior Court in connection with the incident that occurred early Monday morning at Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim.

While performing a routine security check of the park, Deputy Mark Millet encountered a vehicle owned by McDaniel. 

He made contact with McDaniel ordering him to move off the premises. Reports indicate that McDaniel instead advanced toward Millet, cursing at him and eventually shoving him.

Fearing for his safety, Millet fired his taser to safely subdue McDaniel and waited for supporting units to arrive and arrest him. 

While inventorying McDaniel’s vehicle, officers discovered a Springfield XD pistol loaded with 16 rounds, as well as evidence of alcohol and marijuana use.

McDaniel, who recently had lost his job as a welder, was booked at the Clallam County jail for assault in the third degree and trespass in the second degree, according to the Sheriff’s Office's officials. He was then released.

With a larger than usual number of offenders in custody and both prosecutors out of the office, a Clallam County civil prosecutor who handles cases representing the county was forced to make the call to release McDaniel, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mark Nicholls.

“The deputy didn’t do anything wrong per se,” Nicholls said. “What he tried to do was balance the charging decision in light of the prosecutor’s charging guideline.” 

Nicholls said that, looking back, they should have either charged McDaniels while he was in custody or ordered a three-day hold to assess the case for charges.

The snafu is a symptom of issues that plague small governments around the state and nation, Nicholls added. Small governments consistently have to get the same job done with fewer resources, he said. 

Because of this, “Everything was done with the best of intentions, but the outcome was unacceptable," Nicholls said.

The prosecutor’s office then filed charges and a warrant for McDaniel’s arrest. 

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