A Sac City man has admitted to assaulting former Sac County Sheriff Jonathan Meyer.
According to online court records, 33-year-old Matthew Birt filed a written plea of guilty to two amended charges: willful injury causing bodily injury, a class D felony, and assault on a peace officer, an aggravated misdemeanor. Both charges were reduced from the original class C felonies he faced—each of which carried up to 10 years in prison.
Birt entered the plea in early February. His sentencing is set for Monday.
The charges stem from an Aug. 25, 2025 assault at Meyer’s home in Sac City. Investigators say Birt confronted Meyer in the backyard, then punched, tackled, and attempted to strangle him, threatening to kill him if Meyer ever spoke to Birt’s wife again. Witnesses told police Meyer did not fight back, and a neighbor attempted to intervene.
Meyer suffered a concussion, a fractured orbital socket, a torn ear, and extensive bruising. Court documents say Birt later admitted to the assault during an interview with authorities. He was arrested on Sept. 3, 2025.
The assault resulted in near immediate changes to the sheriff’s department.
Meyer—who had been appointed sheriff just a month earlier—resigned days after the incident, citing personal reasons. He later returned to his previous rank of sergeant. In late September, the Sac County Board of Supervisors appointed Katie Stange as sheriff.
The case has been prosecuted by Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn, after Sac County Attorney Ben Smith recused himself due to Meyer’s position. Although Meyer was off-duty, Iowa law considers sheriffs on duty at all times.
Birt had previously pleaded not guilty and was released on a $35,000 bond while awaiting trial. That trial had been scheduled for November,rescheduled for January and again continued to May before the plea agreement was reached.
Under Iowa law, Birt faces a maximum of five years in prison for the felony charge, and two years for the misdemeanor.
