Matthew F. Bates, 36, of Bourbon, is facing four felonies and four misdemeanors after trespassing, killing a rooster and damaging a pickup truck June 6-8 in Washington County.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office charged Bates on June 6 and 8 with two E-class felony first-degree harassment charges, an unclassified felony armed criminal action charge, a D-class felony possession of a controlled substance, a B-class misdemeanor second-degree property damage charge, a class-A misdemeanor animal abuse charge, a class-B misdemeanor first-degree trespassing charge and a class-A prior drug offense unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia charge.

Deputy Judson Smith, with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, wrote the probable cause statement.

He said on June 6, Bates knowingly entered the victim’s property, who resided in Washington County and had multiple “No Trespassing” signs clearly posted.

“While unlawfully present on the property, the defendant picked up a shovel and deliberately struck the victim’s rooster in the head, causing fatal injuries and the death of the animal,” Smith wrote.

The victim provided text messages sent by Bates that contained direct threats of physical violence and bodily harm toward the victim.

Further investigation revealed that Bates was warned by law enforcement to stay away from the victim, but he continued his threatening and aggressive behavior.

Smith reported that Bates chased the victim in his motor vehicle, throwing rocks at the victim as they fled on a four-wheeler.

On June 8, Bates allegedly trespassed again and intentionally damaged the victim’s 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck.

According to a probable cause statement written by Corporal Patrick Williams, also with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, when Bates was arrested on June 8, he possessed 10.1 grams of methamphetamine with a glass pipe commonly used with the drug located in the same vicinity.

He was released from jail when his $50,000 surety bond was paid.

He has a counsel status hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, before Associate Circuit Court Judge Tony Dorsett of the 24th Circuit Court.