An arrest warrant has been issued for the biker who punched a Black Lives Matter protester at the Bethel protest on June 14.
Johnnie Devault, 64, whose last known address has been listed in Neville, has been named the suspect by the Bethel Police Department three days after the incident, according to a press release.
Devault has been charged with assault, a misdemeanor in the first degree, as he “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to victim Nicholas Reardon by striking him in the head from behind with his fist.”
The event, which has been widely circulated in videos nationally, took place in the presence of former Bethel Police Chief and current Sergeant Mark Planck.
Current Police Chief Steve Teague said they are investigating the incident.
“The offense took place in the presence of a police officer, but was not witnessed by the officer,” the press release claims. “The victim stated to the officer that he had been struck. He was then removed from the area to file a report and to seek medical treatment.”
At the time of the assault, police said Reardon did not wish to press charges because he did not witness the assault and was unable to identify the suspect.
Once police, with the help of additional witnesses, were able to positively identify Devault, they’ve made several attempts to contact him, but were unsuccessful.
That’s when police issued the arrest warrant.
Anyone with information about Mr. Devault’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact either the Bethel Police Department at 513-734-2256 or the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office at 513-732-7500.