Banyai faces legal troubles in Vermont and New York

RUTLAND –– Daniel Banyai, owner of the controversial Slate Ridge firearms training school in Pawlet, is facing legal issues in both Vermont and New York State.

Although Vermont’s Environmental Court no longer seeks to hold Banyai in jail for noncompliance with orders to remove unpermitted structures from his property, he is currently being held in Vermont on a $15,000 bail for a criminal charge stemming from his arrest in March.

Banyai was arrested on March 20 by Pawlet Town Constable Thomas Covino during a traffic stop, leading to a struggle and a felony charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He has pleaded not guilty to this charge.

Additionally, Banyai is facing a violation of probation charge from New York State. He has declined to waive extradition and is scheduled to appear at a hearing for a governor’s warrant on May 10.

The Environmental Court has rescinded the mittimus for Banyai’s arrest after the town completed work to bring his property into compliance with court orders. However, the town will seek to recover the cost of the removal and attorney fees from Banyai.

Banyai is currently being held at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland, with the court granting him permission to go to New York to satisfy his legal obligations there, should he choose to do so on his own.