By Guy Page
The former owner of the Slate Ridge firearms training facility in Pawlet is in jail this morning after being pepper sprayed by a town constable yesterday.
Daniel Banyai, 50, of Pawlet is scheduled to be arraigned at 12:30 PM Thursday, March 21, 2024, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland on charges of aggravated assault on a protected person and resisting arrest, state police say.
The criminal charges follow Banyai’s arrest Wednesday afternoon on a mittimus – AKA an arrest warrant – issued last year by the Environmental Division of Vermont Superior Court. Environmental Court judge Thomas Durkin had ruled that Banyai had refused the town of Pawlet’s request to take down buildings, erected in violation of local ordinances.
The encounter with the town constable, an often overlooked and little-used municipal law enforcement position, may underscore the apparent unwillingness of both county sheriffs and state police to seek to apprehend Banyai, despite requests by town officials. Pawlet does have an active constable presence, as its Facebook page shows.
Banyai was taken into custody after Pawlet Second Constable Tom Covino pulled over a vehicle for speeding in town and discovered Banyai in the passenger seat. An investigation by the Vermont State Police determined that Banyai engaged in a physical altercation with Constable Covino before the constable deployed OC spray on Banyai to gain his compliance.
Banyai subsequently was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries he sustained in the altercation. He was then brought to the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland for processing before being transported to the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility for lack of $15,000 bail pending arraignment.
Constable Covino was evaluated by the Fair Haven Rescue Squad at the Fair Haven Police Department for injuries arising from the altercation.
Slate Ridge was the subject not only of friction with neighbors and local officials, but of state officials and media concerned about ‘militia’ activity in Vermont. The Legislature last year passed a law forbidding gatherings of Vermonters for military-style training.