Bonner County teenager jailed after kicking officer

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County teen is facing a felony battery charge after being arrested on a shoplifting charge on Saturday.

Joseph Leland Schauwecker is accused of kicking a Ponderay Police officer who arrested him at Walmart, according to court documents.

Schauwecker and 17-year-old Jordan Sieverding were stopped by loss-prevention officials at the store. They allegedly concealed more than $80 of merchandise in a backpack carried by Schauwecker, 18.

The minor was released to the custody of his mother, while Schauwecker was placed under arrest. Schauwecker allegedly became defiant upon learning he would be arrested and had to be taken to the ground several times, according to a probable cause affidavit.

He allegedly kicked Officer Jeremy Deal during the altercation, the affidavit said.

Schauwecker denied intentionally kicking the officer and said that he was only flailing, court documents indicate.

Schauwecker is charged with battery on a law officer, in addition to misdemeanor counts of petty theft and obstructing a law officer.

Schauwecker made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Monday via video link with the Bonner County Jail. Judge Lori Meulenberg released him on his own recognizance and appointed a public defender to represent him, court records show.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 11.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.