Assistant Austintown wrestling coach arrested

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

An assistant Austintown Middle School wrestling coach is in Mahoning County jail on multiple charges stemming from his Saturday arrest.

Matthew Kuti, 25, of Helena Avenue in Youngstown is charged with domestic violence, operating a vehicle while impaired, obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

Kuti listed the Austintown Board of Education as his employer. He has a supplemental contract with the school district, Superintendent Vince Colaluca said. This was his first season with the wrestling team. He made $3,400 working as an assistant coach until his last match last Tuesday.

Supplemental-contract employees do not receive a renewed contract.

Boardman police were called to First Place Bank on Market Street for a report of domestic violence about 1 a.m. Saturday.

Witnesses told police they watched a woman running from a man who appeared to be chasing her. When the man caught up to the woman, he slapped her twice in the face, according to a police report. One of the witnesses also watched the man pick up the woman and punch her before getting into his car and driving off.

The woman was bleeding from her lip and had a bruise on her cheek.

Police stopped the suspect, identified as Kuti and accused of domestic violence, at his listed residence after following him.

Kuti ignored police when he was asked to talk to them about the domestic-violence incident, according to a police report.

Kuti entered the residence and slammed the door shut, according to the report.

Youngstown police arrived to help establish a perimeter around the residence.

Kuti told police a warrant was needed for his arrest.

Police were able to force entry into the residence and took him into custody, and he became “uncooperative and belligerent,” the report said.

Police smelled alcohol on Kuti. He had slurred speech, glassy eyes and a flushed face, according to the report.

Kuti refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

He is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. today in Boardman for domestic violence and OVI.

He appeared in Youngstown Municipal Court on Monday on charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was given a $1,500 bond for count one of obstructing official business and a $2,000 bond for count two of resisting arrest.

Colaluca said Kuti did a “very nice job” as a coach for the district.

“Hopefully, he can rectify [his actions] and take responsibility,” Colaluca said.