$1 million bond set for man accused in a 38-hour stand-off in Fredonia

OZAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) – The man accused in a 38-hour standoff with various law enforcement agencies in Fredonia had a $1 million cash bond set by a judge when he appeared in court on May 27.

Matthew Novak, 37, faces six charges for his alleged actions between May 8 and 10, when he reportedly barricaded himself in his home on Fox Glen Road in the village of Fredonia.

Novak has been charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, failure to comply, intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer, and three counts of battery or threat to a law enforcement officer. 

At his initial court appearance, Novak appeared virtually from the Ozaukee County Jail, seemingly cheering when the defense attorney Benjamin Lindsay asked that Novak be held on a $1 million cash bail. At other points, Novak flipped off the camera, danced, and made other gestures.

“I think there’s a considerable amount of fear if he’s released from custody. We had individuals here shelter in their homes for over a day, many concerned if bullets were fired if they came through the walls of their residence,” said Benjamin Lindsay, defense attorney for Ozaukee County.

The criminal complaint details his various threats to law enforcement, and Novak claimed he had several firearms at his disposal, firing them repeatedly in his backyard, aiming at pictures of governors. He also claims he was on LSD, cocaine, and marijuana.

After two days, Novak was detained and taken for a mental health evaluation. His attorney said he did “have questions regarding Mr. Novak's competency at this time."

Judge Sandy Williams ordered Novak to appear back in court on June 10 with a doctor's report.

If convicted, Novak could face 10 years in prison.