New Year's Eve Napa Skinny-Dippers Later Charge Police, Face 3 Felonies

NAPA-Napa Police have charged two Napa residents with three felonies - including battery against a police officer - after a physical confrontation just after midnight on New Year’s Eve.

According to a police report, officers responded to the Westin Verasa hotel in the 1300 block of McKinstry Street at 12:06 a.m. January 1.

Security at the hotel reported that a male and female were trespassing. They had jumped the fence to the pool area and were “skinny dipping”. They were reported as intoxicated and had vandalized a fire extinguisher holder, according to police. They left the area clothed.

Two officers located the couple, 43-year-old Justin Linkner and 31-year-old Malissa Richelle Kovenof Napa nearby under Soscol Avenue, at the flood project over crossing.

While being detained, officers determined both subjects were intoxicated. Officers say when they attempted take Linkner into custody, he physically resisted. After several minutes of resisting, an officer deployed a Taser on Linkner, which allowed the officers to control Linkner and place him into custody.

Authorities say during the incident, Malissa Koven attempted to set Linkner free by using physical force. She was also arrested.

Linkner and Koven were identified by Westin Security as the subjects who entered the pool area. Both officers sustained minor injuries.

Linkner and Koven were treated at Queen of the Valley Medical Center and then booked at Napa Department of Corrections.