WEST PAWLET, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont Environmental Court judge Thursday signed off on an order rescinding the arrest warrant for Daniel Banyai. It comes after the town of West Pawlet says it has dismantled the unpermitted structures on his property that led to his arrest for defying the court.
The owner of Slate Ridge, the former West Pawlet paramilitary training site, was arrested on March 20 in Pawlet after years of legal wrangling with the town over the unpermitted structures.
The town said in court documents Thursday that it has completed the work necessary to bring the property into compliance, with the sole exception of a deconstructed school structure which will be completed within 60 days.
Banyai still faces problems connected to the years-long dispute. During his arrest, he allegedly attacked the town constable and now faces aggravated assault charges. He has been held on $15,000 bail since the arrest. He must also now pay the town for both the work on his property and the town’s legal fees.