Forks Officer Faces May Court Date on Shotgun Charge

The Forks Township police officer charged in an incident in which he allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at his girlfriend and shoved her is facing a May court date.

Matthew Balodis, 30, of High Street in Tatamy, is scheduled for his formal arraignment on May 16 in Northampton County Court.

Balodis—who is on administrative leave—appeared for a March 19 hearing before District Judge Daniel Corpora of Easton, according to online court records.

The charges against Balodis include: aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and harassment.

He remains free on $50,000 bail.

Balodis, a Forks police officer since August 2007, was named in a criminal complaint filed by Trooper Robert Ace of state police at Belfast for the 4:42 a.m. incident in which Balodis and his girlfriend had been arguing.

Balodis was holding a shotgun and trying to unjam a shotgun shell from the weapon, she told the trooper.

She said that during the argument, Balodis pointed the shotgun at her and asked her to leave. He then shoved her, she said. She left and called a friend.