A Saint Paul man spat on a police officer and threatened to kill him while being arrested on a warrant for possession of pornography, according to charges.
Shaun Michael Mankey, 40, faces one count of fourth-degree assault for throwing or transferring bodily fluids onto a peace officer.
According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Saint Paul police department arrested Mankey at a Saint Paul address in Ramsey County at about 1:39 p.m. on September 10. Officers took Mankey into custody on an active Department of Corrections warrant related to possession of pornography.
READ MORE → Ramsey County coverage
As officers prepared to place Mankey in a squad car, he became uncooperative. The complaint states that Mankey slammed his head against the squad car window, yelled and kicked at officers as they attempted to secure him. Once inside the squad, Mankey told officers, “I’m going to spit on you.”
The complaint alleges that Mankey then spat, and an officer felt Mankey’s saliva land on the left side of his head. After spitting, Mankey threatened the officer, saying, “You’re dead. You’re a dead b****,” according to court records.
The charge of fourth-degree assault in this case specifically alleges that Mankey intentionally threw or transferred bodily fluids onto a peace officer while the officer was performing official duties. The complaint does not detail any injuries to the officer but documents the threat and the act of spitting as the basis for the felony charge.
Mankey was arrested at the scene and booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center. Court records show the charge was filed Friday, September 11. Mankey is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, September 30.
Mankey is scheduled to appear in Ramsey County court on September 30, 2026.
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.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
Saint Paul Man Charged After Kicking in Door With Axe • Saint Paul Woman Pulls Knife on 2 in Dog Dispute • 3 Juveniles Targeted, 2 Wounded in Saint Paul Drive-By Shooting
Jurisdictional Context
Ramsey County encompasses Saint Paul and is served by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Felony cases are heard in the Second Judicial District at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown Saint Paul; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.
