Fillmore County Man Pleads Guilty For Assault on State Trooper

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Preston, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Fillmore County man accused of engaging a State Trooper in a violent struggle along a rural road earlier this year has worked out a plea agreement with prosecutors that does not include any prison time.

31-year-old Jacob Erickson of Canton today entered guilty pleas to a charge of fourth-degree assault on a peace officer and a gross misdemeanor DWI charge. In exchange 11 other charges, including felony counts of fleeing police, and attempting to disarm a police officer were dismissed.

The plea deal calls for Erickson to be sentenced to probation with a stayed prison sentence that could be imposed if he violates his probation. He will also receive a stayed one-year jail sentence and will be ordered to jail for 90 days with credit for the time he has already spent behind bars since his arrest.

The criminal complaint details an intense physical struggle between Erickson and a State Trooper who pulled him over on a rural road northwest of Canton after spotting him in a car with expired registration on Highway 52 in Canton. At one point in the altercation, Erickson allegedly gained control of the Trooper's taser and delivered a shock to his forearm.

The charges allege the struggle began when the law officer indicated he was going to check out the man's vehicle. At some point, Erickson ran from the Trooper and attempted to reach for the keys in the ignition of his car. In response, the trooper announced that Erickson was under arrest and ordered him to the ground.

The trooper indicated Erickson did not comply and his efforts to radio for help were unsuccessful as Erickson threw snow and ice at the law officer, striking him on the face and head. When Erickson attempted to get inside his car, the trooper stated that he deployed his taser and attempted to subdue the man with electrical shocks, but Erickson was able to block the electrodes by holding up articles of clothing. The criminal complaint says Erickson was temporarily incapacitated by third Tazer shock but was able to resume fighting against the Trooper when he attempted to take the keys to the vehicle away from Erickson.

It is alleged that during that struggle, Erickson was able to gain control of the Taser and shock the Trooper’s left forearm. The trooper says he was then able to regain control and holster his taser before he ran back to his squad car, which he used to push Erickson's vehicle into the ditch along the highway. The court document says the trooper and Erickson then exited their vehicles and Erickson allegedly tried to flee on foot.

The Trooper stated he grabbed Erickson’s upper body, but Erickson was able to kick his legs out from under him, knock him to the ground, and pin him to the pavement. Two other motorists witnessed what was happening and came to the assistance of the Trooper by pulling Erickson off of him and holding Erickson on the ground with his hands behind his back.

The trooper was eventually transported to St. Mary's Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which were described as non-life-threatening. Erickson was also taken to the hospital in a State Patrol squad car to be evaluated. The charges say a search of Erickson's vehicle led to the discovery of a small amount of marijuana, a marijuana pipe, and two folded one-dollar bills with a white powder residue that later tested positive for cocaine.