A 36-year-old Brainerd man allegedly assaulted a police officer after being pulled over south of Nisswa for his vehicle having loud exhaust.
Wesley John Hanson Jr. was charged Oct. 29 in Crow Wing County District Court with felony fourth-degree assault of an officer and gross misdemeanor obstruction of the legal process.
According to the probable cause court document filed against Hanson, a Nisswa police officer observed a vehicle at 12:22 a.m. Oct. 27 traveling south on Highway 371 that had a loud exhaust. The officer proceeded to follow the vehicle, which turned and stopped onto Camp Lincoln Road. As the driver began exiting the vehicle, the officer activated his emergency lights.
The driver, later identified as Hanson, stated he stopped to close his trunk. The officer advised him he stopped him for loud exhaust. Hanson became agitated and argued he was not being stopped for a traffic violation. The officer advised Hanson to stay outside the vehicle, but he refused and got back into the vehicle.
A second officer arrived on scene to assist. The officers approached the vehicle and observed a tetrahydrocannabinol vape pen and a large buck knife in plain view. Hanson admitted the vape pen was tetrahydrocannabinol and stated he had a medical marijuana card. The officer advised Hanson to exit the vehicle and he continued to argue about being stopped for no reason, the court document stated. Officers conducted a pat-down search for officer safety.
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Hanson began to pull away from officers and began to fight. He attempted to get back into his vehicle and began to swing at officers and struck one officer in the face, the complaint stated. Hanson sat back in the driver seat and attempted to start the vehicle. The officer gave multiple commands to exit the vehicle or he would be tazed and Hanson continued to try and start the vehicle. The other officer gave Hanson a drive stun to the back of Hanson's neck but there was no affect, the complaint stated. The officer continued to command Hanson to exit the vehicle and he continued to fight but did exit the vehicle. The other officer deployed his Tazer, which struck Hanson in the chest. Hanson ripped the probes from his chest and continued to fight.
Officers were able to take him to the ground and place him in handcuffs. Hanson was transported to the emergency room where he was evaluated and then released and transported to the Crow Wing County Jail.
After the incident, the officer, who was punched in the face, was bleeding on his right knee from the fight.
Hanson was released from jail after his first appearance as long as he follows all the conditions of his release to include not entering a bar or liquor establishment, he cannot use any alcohol or controlled substances and that he make all future court hearings. His next court hearing is set Nov. 25.
