Justin Craig Laygo Nauta was held on $5,000 cash bail Wednesday after being charged with five felony counts of assault on a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest, court documents show.
According to a complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, Guam Police Department officers were investigating a criminal mischief complaint that occurred June 8 outside the Guam Legislature Building. Police said the investigation stemmed from a verbal threat to harm two of Nauta's relatives and an attempt to run his vehicle toward them.
When officers arrived June 9 at an address linked to the vehicle — a Nissan Xterra belonging to Nauta — they reported seeing him exit the residence and get into the vehicle sought in connection with the complaint.
The complaint alleges Nauta intentionally targeted police units, driving toward them at a high rate of speed before coming to a sudden stop. He then allegedly attempted to flee before being blocked in on Chalan Dispaciu.
"As officers approached, Nauta began yelling aggressively at the officers to turn on their cameras as Nauta made threats that he was going to run them over," the complaint states. Police alleged he nearly struck one officer while reversing, forcing the officer to jump back into a marked patrol vehicle. Nauta allegedly repeated the behavior multiple times, revving his engine and screeching his tires.
SWAT units were activated to assist, police confirmed. After blocking the vehicle, officers convinced Nauta to surrender his keys, but he allegedly refused to exit and had to be removed. Police said he resisted arrest by stiffening his body and interlocking his hands beneath his torso to prevent being handcuffed.
The charges are allegations, and Nauta is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The case is prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General.