On August 4th, 2022, a police officer in La Crosse, Wisconsin, encountered a 31-year-old woman named Cara Venable, who had pending charges related to the delivery of methamphetamine. The officer called for backup before approaching her, and Cara became impatient and called her boyfriend, 23-year-old Dakota Gillette. When Dakota arrived, he became confrontational and was eventually subdued by the police and arrested.
As the situation escalated, a crowd began to gather, and some individuals became verbally hostile towards the police. Cara and Dakota were both arrested, with Cara facing charges of felony battery, threat to an officer, and misdemeanor counts of resisting, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dakota was charged with felony battery, threat to an officer, and misdemeanor counts of resisting and bail jumping.
Both Cara and Dakota were released on signature bonds, but a bench warrant was later issued for Dakota for failing to appear in court. He eventually returned, and the warrant was voided. Throughout the interaction, both Cara and Dakota were uncooperative and hostile towards the police, with Dakota claiming to have pain and requesting medical attention, only to later refuse treatment.
1. On August 4, 2022, an officer was patrolling the area of a park in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
2. The officer observed a female, identified as 31-year-old Cara Venable, walking near the road.
3. The officer knew Cara from previous contacts and was aware that she had pending charges.
4. The charges were for being a party to a crime, specifically the delivery of methamphetamine.
5. The officer called for a second officer to assist with the situation.
6. Cara's boyfriend, 23-year-old Dakota Gillette, arrived on the scene on a bicycle.
7. Dakota insisted that Cara should be free to go and became confrontational with the officers.
8. The officers attempted to arrest Cara, but she resisted and started to back away.
9. Dakota physically intervened, and the situation escalated, with the officers using force to subdue him.
10. A crowd gathered, and some individuals became verbally hostile towards the officers.
11. Both Cara and Dakota were eventually taken into custody.
12. Cara was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
13. Dakota was charged with felony battery, threat to an officer, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and bail jumping.
14. Cara was released on a $1,000 signature bond, while Dakota was released on a $500 signature bond.
15. A bench warrant was later issued for Dakota on October 12 for failing to appear in court, but he returned the following day, and the warrant was voided.