PAWLET, Vt. (WCAX) – The owner of a former West Pawlet paramilitary training site was arrested Wednesday.
The Vermont State Police say Daniel Banyai, who has been wanted by police for months under an order by the Environmental Court, was encountered at about 2:20 p.m. by the Pawlet town constable near the intersection of state Routes 30 and 133 in Pawlet. They say a struggle ensued, and the constable was able to subdue Banyai and take him into custody.
After years of legal wrangling with the town and neighbors over threats and unpermitted structures on his property, an Environmental Court judge ruled in November that Banyai was in contempt of court. He was ordered to turn himself in on December 22 but failed to comply.
In addition to not complying with taking down the unpermitted structures, Banyai continues to accrue thousands of dollars in fines.
An investigation is underway involving troopers from the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland.
There were no other immediate details from authorities.
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