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Elyite charged with felonies
An Ely man with a long criminal history remained in jail Wednesday, after he allegedly bit a police officer after causing a disturbance near Whiteside Park.
Jail records show that Travis Mattila, 32, was in custody and charged with two felonies, several misdemeanors and a probation violation.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Ely Police department, Mattila bit Ely officer Bradley Roy in the arm during the course of a June 18 incident.
Police had responded to multiple reports that an intoxicated man was walking in the middle of the road and yelling at motorists, and Mattila was located near the intersection of Sheridan Street and Seventh Avenue East at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Mattila was allegedly still on the road, stopping traffic as a result.
Roy approached Mattila and observed that he had “bloodshot, watery eyes and an odor of alcoholic beverages.”
Mattila was asked to leave the area, but police say that instead he responded by doing “karate” moves.
Roy contacted Mattila’s probation officer, who asked police to obtain a blood sample.
Police attempted to place Mattila under arrest and according to the complaint it took Roy and two other officers to take him in to custody and place him into a squad car.
When placing Mattila into the back of the vehicle, Roy reached in to buckle the seat belt when Mattila allegedly bit Roy’s hand, leaving marks.
Mattila was charged with fourth degree assault on a police officer and fifth degree assault with two prior convictions.
He also remains in custody on the probation violation and was charged with a series of misdemeanors in connection with the incident.
Mattila has two prior convictions for threats of violence on May 30, 2023.
The most recent felony charges carry maximum prison terms of three and five years, respectively.
