Muddy resident charged with striking Saline County deputy

SALINE COUNTY - A Muddy man has been arrested on charges he hit a Saline County sheriff's deputy on Saturday night.

According to reports, Saline County Deputy Craig Williams was investigating a disturbance outside the Bella Padra Garden Apartments at 2475 U.S. Route 45 North at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said Williams was speaking with Robert D. Starnes 50, of Muddy, and that Starnes became agitated when emergency medical services arrived to evaluate him, striking Williams and knocking him to the ground.

Police said Starnes then barricaded himself in the apartment, as officers from Harrisburg and Eldorado police departments came to assist Williams.

Police said Starnes was Tasered, and then taken into custody in the Saline County Detention Center. Starnes was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer.