Sac City Resident Enters Guilty Plea Following 2025 Assault On Former Sac County Sheriff

Matthew Birt has pleaded guilty to felony assault charges following a 2025 attack on former Sac County Sheriff Jonathan Meyer. Sentencing is set for March 16.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 9:48 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from KCRG

August 2025 Backyard Confrontation Leads To Judicial Resolution

A violent encounter that shook the Northwest Iowa law enforcement community has reached a pivotal legal milestone. Matthew Birt, a 33 year old resident of Sac City, has officially entered a guilty plea in connection with the assault of former Sac County Sheriff Jonathan Meyer. The charges originate from an incident on August 25, 2025, when Sac City police were summoned to Meyer's private residence. Court documents detail a harrowing scene where Birt confronted Meyer in his backyard, subjected him to a physical assault that included strangulation attempts, and allegedly issued death threats. Meyer, who had only been appointed sheriff weeks prior, did not retaliate during the attack, which was eventually interrupted by a neighbor.

Plea Agreement Downgrades Severity Of Original Felony Charges

As part of a negotiated plea agreement finalized in early February 2026, the legal severity of the case has been modified. Birt was initially facing two Class C Felonies: willful injury resulting in serious injury and assault of a peace officer with intent to inflict serious injury, each carrying a potential 10 year prison term. Under the new agreement, the primary charge was amended to willful injury causing bodily injury, a Class D Felony. The second charge was reduced to an aggravated misdemeanor for assault on a peace officer. These changes significantly lower the maximum exposure for the defendant, reducing the potential prison time for the felony count from 10 years to five.

Severe Physical Injuries And Professional Consequences Detailed

The toll of the assault on the former sheriff was both physical and professional. Medical records cited in court filings indicate that Meyer suffered a concussion, a fractured right orbital socket, a torn right ear, and extensive facial bruising. The incident had an immediate impact on the leadership of the Sac County Sheriff’s Office. Meyer, who had recently succeeded long time Sheriff Ken McClure, submitted his resignation just days after the attack, citing "personal reasons that require my focused attention." This prompted the subsequent appointment of Kathryn Stange, the former chief deputy, to the role of sheriff in September 2025.