A Crosby man punched a Brainerd police officer in the face, tried to grab the officer’s gun and later knocked another officer unconscious with a kick to the head during a midday confrontation at Bane Park, according to charges.
Felo Pierre Simenstad, 19, faces five felony charges: third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm, two counts of fourth-degree assault on a peace officer resulting in demonstrable bodily harm, attempted disarming of a peace officer and fleeing a peace officer on foot. The charges were filed Tuesday, September 8, in Crow Wing County District Court.
According to the complaint, group home staff reported Simenstad missing around 12:26 p.m. on September 4 after he left the facility and rode away on a bike he found at Bane Park in Brainerd. Officers responded and spotted Simenstad riding toward Willow Street. When an officer ordered him to stop, Simenstad kept riding in the traffic lane until the officer grabbed the bicycle.
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Simenstad got off the bike and punched the officer in the face, knocking him to the ground, then continued throwing punches. The complaint states Simenstad grabbed the officer’s holstered handgun with both hands and tried to open the retention hood. The officer fought back, using pepper spray and striking Simenstad, who tried to bite the officer’s hand during the struggle.
Both eventually got to their feet, and the officer deployed his taser into Simenstad’s back, but Simenstad managed to run into the woods as the officer was unable to chase him due to an ankle injury.
A sergeant later found Simenstad near a bike path and ordered him to the ground, but Simenstad refused. Officers secured him and provided water to rinse his face. As they waited for an ambulance, Simenstad refused to sit and tried to pull away from officers. He then violently kicked another officer in the face, causing the officer to lose consciousness and collapse.
The officer was unconscious on the ground for several seconds and lost consciousness a second time after being helped to a kneeling position. Simenstad yelled threats to kill officers during the encounter.
The complaint states the officer who was kicked was transported to the emergency room by ambulance. Another officer suffered a sprained ankle, swollen eye and abrasions on his arms. Photographs were taken of the injuries.
As Simenstad was being escorted to a squad car, he spit on the rear window and cursed at officers, according to court records.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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