Minnesota Man Sentenced for Violently Attacking State Trooper

Preston, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Fillmore County man is avoiding prison for attacking a Minnesota State Trooper during a traffic stop in February. 

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31-year-old Jacob Erickson of Canton entered a plea deal in September in which he pled guilty to charge of fourth-degree assault on a peace officer and a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in exchange for the dismissal 11 other charges, including felony counts of fleeing police, and attempting to disarm a police officer.

The deal does not include prison time. Erickson was sentenced Tuesday morning to four years supervised probation and 90 days in the Fillmore County Jail. 

The punishment could turn into a prison term if he violates the conditions of his probation. Erickson was credited for serving 17 days behind bars and is also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. 

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.

After retaking control of his taser, the Trooper returned to his squad car and rammed Erickson’s vehicle into the ditch. Erickson attempted to flee and the trooper caught him. Erickson then got on top of the trooper and pinned him to the pavement. 

Two passing motorists then stopped, got Erickson off of the trooper and restrained him. The trooper was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  

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.