Man faces charges from rendering aid

A Navarre man is justifying his two felony charges of resisting an officer with violence and battery on an officer over Mardi Gras weekend.

Mark Benjamin Heath, 46, was arrested Saturday, Feb. 17 during Navarre Beach Mardi Gras festivities after responding to another incident involving a Navarre woman, Ruth Champion, 55. Champion was reportedly driving recklessly through a parking lot plowing into several cars and nearly hitting bystanders.

Heath responded by attempting to stop the vehicle by entering the driver side window. According to Santa Rosa Sheriff's spokesman, a uniformed deputy was attempting the same action and pulled Heath from the vehicle as it began to spin. Heath allegedly struck the officer.

"There was a noticeable knot on the officer's forehead," said Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for Santa Rosa County's Sheriff's Office. According to authorities, Heath approached the deputy after being pushed away and it was then that deputies arrested Heath.

According to Haines, all deputies involved were in uniform, and an attorney for Heath has directed him not to comment on the case.

According to Santa Rosa Clerk of Court, Heath has pleaded not guilty to the charges.