SAC CITY — A Sac City man is behind bars after allegedly assaulting the county’s sheriff.

According to court documents, on Aug. 25, Matthew Birt, 33, drove to Sac County Sheriff Jonathan Meyer’s private residence. Meyer was in his backyard with his 7-year-old son. Birt punched Meyer in the head from behind and tacked Meyer to the ground where he attempted to strangle Meyer in an arm bar chokehold. Before being taken to the ground, Meyer reportedly told Birt to stop, but he did not.

According to court documents, neighbors heard the altercation and attempted to break up the altercation, but when a neighbor said they were calling law enforcement, Birt reportedly yelled “call the (expletive) cops.”

Meyer attempted to get up off of the ground where Birt then turned around and kicked Meyer in the right side of his face.

According to witness statements, “he literally kicked him in the jaw as hard as he possibly could in the face right here.”

Court documents state that Birt then continued to punch Meyer in the head multiple times following the kick. Meyer reportedly told Birt “I’m not fighting back.”

Witnesses to the assault told officers that Birt told Meyer “welcome to being sheriff,” and “if you talk to my wife again, I’ll (expletive) kill you.” Birt then left the residence before law enforcement arrived.

Meyer’s son, who was in the backyard with his father, witnessed the assault.

According to court documents, Birt admitted to law enforcement that he had assaulted Meyer.

Meyer suffered a concussion, a fractured right orbital socket, a torn right ear that required stitches, and bruising to his face.

Birt is currently being held in the Sac County Jail on $35,000 bond and has been charged with willful injury causing serious injury, a felony, and assault on an officer, also a felony. While Meyer was off duty at the time of the assault, Birt assaulted him “with knowledge that Meyer is a peace officer with the intent to inflict serious injury.”

According to court documents, Birt is a former Marine who served tours in Afghanistan and has strong ties to Sac County but is unable to post bond.

Due to the incident involving a Sac County law enforcement officer, Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn has been appointed to serve as a special prosecutor for this case. Birt is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 15 at the Sac County Courthouse. If convicted of the charges, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and more than $20,000 in fines.

Just days after the assault, Meyer announced his resignation from his role as sheriff and asked to return to the department as a sergeant.

“Taking responsibility for my actions, I recognize that my leadership role has come with significant challenges,” Meyer said in his resignation letter. “I believe that stepping back into the Sergeant position is the right course of action, allowing me to better balance my personal circumstances while continuing to contribute to our department’s mission.”

In his letter to the Sac County Board of Supervisors, Meyer stated that Chief Deputy Katie Stange would be promoted to the role of sheriff.