A Redfield man has pleaded guilty to charges resulting from an incident this summer that led to a lockdown at Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield.
Matthew James Mathern has pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, aggravated assault and felony violation of bond conditions, according to Spink County state’s attorney Vic Fischbach.
The burglary and aggravated assault charges resulted from the fact that Mathern broke into the hospital and was brandishing a firearm. The felony violation of bond conditions charge is unrelated to the incident.
On June 25th, Mathern led authorities on a high-speed chase that ended at the hospital. He entered the facility armed with a handgun and his 10-year-old son and barricaded himself in a room.
Negotiations with the help of a family member finally convinced Mathern to release the child and eventually surrender. An AK-47 assault rifle with two clips of ammo was later found in the man’s vehicle.
Mathern will be sentenced at a later date.