WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH — Court records reveal official formal charges filed against 66-year-old Charles Messer following Thursday’s armed standoff with police at the City Motel.
Messer is being held without bond in the Fayette County Jail after being arraigned in Washington Court House Municipal Court.
According to court filings, Messer faces six formal counts:
- Felonious Assault with a Deadly Weapon (4 Counts, First-Degree Felony): Filed in connection to Messer firing shots toward law enforcement officers during the tactical response.
- Inducing Panic (1 Count, First-Degree Misdemeanor): Filed for creating a public safety emergency and forcing a multi-hour police response at the motel.
- Aggravated Menacing (1 Count, First-Degree Misdemeanor): Filed in connection to initial reports of Messer pointing a firearm at motel office staff prior to officers’ arrival.
The charges stem from an incident on Thursday afternoon when police responded to the City Motel at 130 N. Fayette Street to assist staff with removing Messer from the property. The situation escalated into a standoff after Messer brandished a handgun, refused verbal commands, and fired shots at officers after Special Response Team members deployed CS gas into his room.
Messer surrendered to officers roughly five minutes after chemical agents were introduced. He remains in custody as court proceedings move forward.
