Willmar Man Faces Felony Assault Charge for Resisting Arrest

A Willmar man originally believed to be carrying a firearm faces a felony charge for assaulting an arresting officer.

Nathan Lee Ronning, 37, is charged with fourt-degree assault against a peace officer, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $6,000 fine. Ronning also faces one lesser charge, obstruction of the legal process.

According to the criminal complaint, on March 8, the Burnsville PD was called to the area near County Road 42 and Interstate Highway 35E after a man with a gun was allegedly spotted walking towards the Days Inn. Believing that Ronning was armed, officers ordered him  to put his hands up, face away and walk backwards. Ronning did not fully follow their instructions and responded by looking back at the repeatedly, talking and dropping his hands to his waist.  Ronning also refused to drop to the ground when ordered to do so, cops say. 

Officers on scene state that Ronning was warned that if he did not comply with their demands he would be tased. Ronning continued to ignore commands, they say. When he began to get up off the ground, in defiance of orders, an officer stunned him.

No weapons were found on Ronning's person.

On the way to the Dakota County Jail, Ronning allegedly became confrontational, yelling and insulting the officer driving the car. Once at the jail, he repeatedly tried to walk away. Officers dragged him forward by the arm, but he braced his legs against the door frame and kicked backwards. Both he and the arresting officer toppled over. The officer sustained scrapes and bruises as a result of the fall. 

Ronning has multiple DUI charges, several drug convictions and lots of traffic offenses on his record, but no crimes of violence.

Bail was set at $40,000, $25,000 with conditions. He has since been released from the county jail.