Marine Indicted on Felony Aggravated Assault of Police Officer Charges

(New Braunfels, TX) -- The active duty US Marine that was arrested this past summer after he allegedly attacked a New Braunfels Police officer on the banks of the Comal River has been indicted by the Comal County Grand Jury.

28-year old Matthew Cothron now faces a 1st degree felony charge of aggravated assault against a police officer which, if convicted at trial, means he could face 5 to 99 years in prison. Cothron and his wife, Annaliese, were reportedly involved in an alcohol-fueled disturbance on the banks of the Comal River near Guada Coma Drive on the afternoon of June 18th, and a New Braunfels Police officer responded to the scene to break up the fight. Cothron is accused of then attacking the responding officer, allegedly putting the officer in a headlock and choking him to the point of unconsciousness while dragging him into the river. The officer regained consciousness and was able to escape the choke hold, since the Marine was wet and not wearing a shirt. Other officers by then had arrived and they were able to place Cothron under arrest and take him to the Comal County Jail, where he spent about 12 hours before he posted a 125-thousand dollar bond and was released.

Since then, New Braunfels Police and the Comal County DA’s Office have been collecting evidence and this month they brought that evidence in front of a grand jury, and Cothron was indicted on that 1st degree felony aggravated assault of a police officer charge.

His wife, Annaliese (below), was also indicted on that same charge for her role in the attack. Her arraignment hearing has been set for Dec. 14th, while the Marine’s arraignment date is set for the next day, on Dec. 15th.

As both cases progress through the local legal system, stay tuned to KGNB News for updates.