Matthew Cogar Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Assault After Cleveland Avenue Search
ASHLAND, Ohio — Matthew Cogar pleaded not guilty Friday to a felony assault charge stemming from an encounter with an Ashland Police Detective during a Nov. 3 search at a Cleveland Avenue home. A preliminary hearing is scheduled by video for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Cogar, 41, appeared by video Nov. 6 in Ashland County Common Pleas Court with his court-appointed attorney, Gregory Tarkowsky. Assistant Ashland County Prosecutor Laura Stanley represented the state. Tarkowsky acknowledged receipt of the complaint, waived a formal reading and explanation of the penalties, and entered the not guilty plea on Cogar’s behalf. He told the court he had discussed the preliminary hearing with Cogar and that the defense wanted to proceed.
Cogar faces one count of fourth-degree felony assault in case 26-CRI-196. The complaint, sworn to by Detective Leah Zeisler and filed Nov. 5, alleges Cogar knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm to Zeisler while she was performing her official duties.
Cogar says officers mistook him for another man
At Thursday’s video bond hearing, Cogar told Common Pleas Court Magistrate Paul T. Lange that officers had mistaken him for someone named Dave.
“They served a warrant on the wrong guy and now I’m in jail and I have a bond,” Cogar said.
Lange advised Cogar of his right to remain silent and warned him that his statements could be used in later proceedings. Cogar continued describing what he said happened at the home.
Stanley told Lange that officers were trying to contact people inside the home while serving the search warrant.
“This defendant opened the door to the home and then attempted to close the door on Detective Zeisler,” Stanley said. “She was able to push the door open and advise they had a search warrant.”
Stanley said Cogar then “attempted to fight with her and attempted to take a swing with a closed fist at her face.”
Stanley requested a $50,000 cash bond, citing the allegations, a 2020 felony conviction for aggravated possession of drugs and several subsequent misdemeanor convictions. She said the alleged conduct raised “serious concerns for the public safety and his willingness to comply with lawful authority.”
After Stanley spoke, Cogar asked when he could speak with an attorney and said he wanted to obtain police body-camera footage.
“We’re going to have to subpoena these body cams because everything that prosecutor just said is not what happened,” Cogar said.
Cogar said he shut the door after telling officers they had the wrong person. “I shut the door. They kicked the door open and beat the shit out of me and called me Dave while they did it,” he said.
Lange said Thursday’s hearing was limited to setting bond and that the court could reconsider the amount after Cogar spoke with an attorney.
Police dispatch records show officers responded to 655 Cleveland Ave. shortly before 2 p.m. Nov. 3. At about 2:01 p.m., an officer reported one person in custody. At about 2:11 p.m., an officer requested an EMS squad and reported a Taser deployment.
Later dispatch entries refer to a man who had been tased and to the Samaritan emergency department. The log records a man being transported to the jail shortly after 3 p.m
On Thursday, Lange set a personal recognizance bond and a separate $15,000 bond that can be posted in cash, through a surety or with real estate. Lange did not allow a 10 percent deposit.
If released, Cogar must remain in Ohio, attend all hearings, keep his address and phone number current with the court and have no contact with Zeisler. He must abstain from alcohol and drugs of abuse, enroll in the court’s testing program and submit to random testing at his own expense. Lange also ordered GPS monitoring and a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at an approved residence.
Cogar is presumed innocent.
