Former Lorain City Council candidate Aaron Knapp arrested again

Former Lorain City Council candidate Aaron Knapp was arrested Friday by Lorain police, apparently on an outstanding warrant. Knapp, 52, of Talbot Lane, was booked into Lorain County Jail on charges of tampering with evidence, a felony, and obstructing official business, which can be either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances. A booking photo from the jail showed a smiling Knapp with what appeared to be a cut on the top of his head. A Chronicle-Telegram request for Lorain police arrest and other records was being processed, a police spokesman said. Lorain police spokesman Capt. Jake Morris said his department wouldn't have an official statement on the matter until reports were completed and video footage of the arrest was reviewed. It wasn't immediately clear what led to the new charges or what the warrant was. A message seeking comment was left for Knapp's attorney. Knapp already was facing six misdemeanor charges including telecommunications harassment, violating a protection order, possession of criminal tools and disturbing a lawful meeting, all in Lorain Municipal Court. The charges allege he disrupted public meetings, violated protection orders and criminally harassed public officials and others, including Lorain City Councilwoman Mary Springowski, D-at large; resident Lorraine Ritchey and Mayor Jack Bradley's wife, Debora. Knapp pleaded not guilty and was free on bond, with further pretrial hearings scheduled in June, at the time of Friday's arrest. A hearing on a civil stalking protection against Knapp that Lorain Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion had requested was postponed in March by Common Pleas Magistrate Laura Dezort until Knapp's criminal charges are resolved. Knapp is a former Republican candidate for Lorain City Council's 6th Ward. He is under orders to stay at least 500 feet away from Carrion, his workplace, home and business. He may attend city meetings but has to sit in the last row of the public gallery in City Council chambers. The protection order came from a physical altercation Carrion and Knapp had outside City Council chambers after a Feb. 16 meeting. Knapp interrupted an interview Carrion was giving to a Chronicle-Telegram reporter so Carrion tried to close a door to block Knapp. Knapp blocked the door with his foot. Councilman Tony Dimacchia, D-at large, then broke up a heated exchange between the men. Knapp alleged that Carrion had assaulted him and demanded that Police Chief Michael Failing take a report, but Failing refused. (Failing told him to go to the police station to complete one, per the video.) Knapp then followed Carrion, Dimacchia, Failing and Jack Bradley out of City Hall, yelling obscenities and insults at them as he recorded the entire incident on video. Knapp said on the video he was going to "f--- these people up." Charges were filed and Knapp was arrested March 24 on a warrant at his home. Handcuffed, he launched into a profanity-laced tirade against police officers, city and county officials.