MONROE — The chairman of the Town of Cadiz board is facing criminal charges, including a felony, after an incident earlier this spring during which he is alleged to have waived a gun around, fired it and threatened a utility line worker on his property.

According to a criminal complaint in Green County Circuit Court, Kenneth John Goodman Jr. is charged with false imprisonment/use of a dangerous weapon, a felony, in connection with the March 31, 2021 incident. He also is charged with disorderly conduct/use of a dangerous weapon, pointing a firearm at another, and impersonating a peace officer/use of a dangerous weapon.

The ordeal began just after 9:30 a.m. when deputies were called to respond to reports of gunfire and threats to a utility worker. The worker, an unnamed female victim, had entered the man’s farm property on Ullom Road near Browntown. 

Backup units also were requested.

Upon arrival, they found the worker from Vanguard Utility, who had been contracted to provide a utility location for possible utility repair. When she first pulled into the property in a marked truck, Goodman is alleged to have fired a gun, and then when she turned to look, she saw a man holding a silver pistol approaching her.

“(The victim) indicated that the gun was pointed at the vehicle, however the subject moving the gun around in which it was pointed at her from time to time and the vehicle as well,” said authorities, in the complaint.  “(She) thought she was going to be shot due to the actions of the subject.”

At one point, reports say, she tried convince the man to put the gun down on the tailgate of her truck so she could talk to him and “diffuse” the situation but he refused, then threatened to keep her from leaving; and to shoot out her tires if she tried.

Several deputies responded and eventually took Goodman into custody without incident but also had to coax the man’s dog back into the residence.

Once at the station, police tried to read Goodman his Miranda rights, as is proper pre-interview practice. 

“As I was reading the rights to Goodman he tried to interrupt,” the incident report states. Then he opted not to continue the interview with police, in keeping with one of those Miranda rights.

He also claimed to represent law enforcement at some point in the incident.

“Goodman knows he is not employed by Sheriff’s Office or the Sheriff,” the complaint said.

According to court records, Goodman posted a $2,000 personal recognizance bond and was released a short time after his arrest. His most recent court appearance on the charges came on May 3 before Circuit Judge Faun Phillipson. 

His next appearance is set for June 6, when he has a scheduled pretrial conference. He has an arraignment scheduled for July 11 in front of Phillipson.

Goodman is the current Cadiz Town Chair. He defeated Jason Figi by a single vote in the April 4, 2023 election, 143-142.