By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities
Three recent reports detail the arrest of Indian Springs HOA President, Wade C. Miller, who allegedly admitted to aggressively attacking a resident on Okeepa Road in Casper, Wyoming.
According to reports, Natrona County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) responded to a report of the assault on November 25. The unnamed victim, a tenant of the property, alleges that Miller and another homeowner, Seth Zupanik, urinated into the gas tank of a generator at the home of the victim. Miller admits to using a pick axe to break through the sliding glass door of the residence.
The victim alleges that Miller used the pick axe and a shovel to physically assault him. Miller reportedly admitted to striking the victim with his fist, but denies using the axe and shovel as weapons.
Miller also admits that the dispute involves what he claims are numerous neighbor complaints about the condition of the victim’s property. The owner of the property reportedly confirms a history of HOA disputes with the President of the board.
Assault charges have been filed, and the matter is under investigation. Miller has since bailed out of jail.
A bit of research on properties for sale in the Indian Springs neighborhood reveals a relatively small rural community with homes on 1 to 5 acre lots, priced in the range of $180,000 – $350,000.
Nevertheless, the HOA apparently maintains and enforces restrictions. The HOA does not maintain a public website, but is registered as a corporation.
The alleged assault in the Natrona County HOA comes on the heels of a national media coverage of the violent assault of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Multiple reports on Sen. Paul’s attack contain conflicting allegations that the motive was a long-simmering property dispute with Paul’s neighbor. Political differences might have also played a role.
Either way, these reports are disturbing, and, it seems, they are becoming more common.
What in the world motivates someone to intentionally urinate on their neighbor’s property? The level of disrespect and lack of decency is stunning.
The reader should note, in the reports linked below, that, beyond inappropriate urination, Zupanik remained a bystander and a witness to the assault of the unidentified resident of Okeepa Rd.
One has to wonder what kind of property dispute warrants the level of anger and aggression that results in injury of one’s neighbor. Is there any neighborhood offense that truly justifies a physical attack?
Will the existence of HOA rules and restrictions prevent disputes among neighbors, or will it create and exacerbate neighborhood conflict?
One thing is certain: when a member of the HOA board becomes the aggressor, the consequences of abuse of power over homeowners and residents, including tenants, can be horrific and devastating.
NATRONA COUNTY MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT WITH PICKAXE NEAR CASPER
NICK LEARNED K2Radio, November 27, 2017
The president of a homeowner’s association was arrested over the weekend after allegedly breaking through a glass patio door and hitting a man with a pickaxe, a shovel and a wooden post.
Wade Curtis Miller, 45, was booked on recommended charges of aggravated assault and unlawful entry. He will likely make his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court at 2 p.m. Monday.
Charging papers say Natrona County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 5000 block of Okeepa — west of Casper on Highway 220 — for a report of an assault shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday.
The victim, who lives at the home, said two men came over and knocked on a glass patio door. When the victim got up and walked over to the glass door, he saw both men urinate into a generator gas tank.
The victim said he opened the door to ask what the men were doing, and an argument ensued between the victim and Miller. The victim retreated back inside the home and shut the door.
Miller then allegedly used a pickaxe to smash out the glass of the patio door, started yelling and hit the victim two or three times with the pick axe.
The other man, Seth Zupanik, stood outside and watched the alleged assault, according to an affidavit.
…
Through interviews with a property caretaker, Zupanik and his wife, deputies determined Miller was was the man who assaulted the victim. Deputies arrested Miller shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday and interviewed him about an hour later.
Miller confirmed he was the president of the homeowner’s association. He claimed to have received numerous complaints about the owners of the victim’s property.
Read more:
http://k2radio.com/natrona-county-man-arrested-for-assault-with-pickaxe-near-casper/
See also:
Man accused of pick-axe assault, urinating in gas tank in Home Owner Association Dispute