Allen Sheppard (Otter Tail Co. Correctional Center)
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KFGO Daily Journal) – A Fergus Falls man was arrested and faces multiple charges after a Nov. 4 fire call escalated on the 300 block of Cecil Avenue near Lake Alice.
Allen Charles Sheppard, age 48, has been charged with felony obstructing the legal process, fourth-degree assault, fourth-degree assault involving a peace officer, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and prohibited burning of refuse.
An Otter Tail County District Court complaint states that at about 3:39 p.m., Fergus Falls Fire Chief Ryan Muchow radioed that he would be responding to a property located on the 300 block of Cecil Avenue regarding possible burning of illegal materials.
Multiple law enforcement officers responded and observed Muchow speaking with Sheppard, who was observed as appearing upset and was pacing back and forth.
Court records state that Sheppard became irate and yelled at one of the officers to get off the property, stating that he was one of the last remaining chiefs of a Native American tribe and that the officer was a white man coming to steal his land. Sheppard claimed that the officer was violating the “peace treat,” and that as a Native American he had the right to cremate his grandmother, celebrated with a Native American cremation ceremony using the fire on the property.
Law enforcement observed plastics in the indicated cremation ceremony fire, and attempted to explain to Sheppard that burning plastics in a recreational campfire is prohibited by city ordinance.
At this time, the owner of the Cecil Avenue property indicated that she had not provided permission for anyone to burn plastics on her property, and Sheppard was asked multiple times to extinguish the fire. He would not comply and was eventually told that he was under arrest for obstructing the legal process.
Per the complaint, Sheppard resisted arrest and multiple unsuccessful attempts were made to place handcuffs on the man. As he continued to resist, he was informed that he may be sprayed or tazed if he did not comply with officers. Eventually, Sheppard released his arms to law enforcement without the requirement either, but he refused to stand independently and had to be dragged to the squad car.
During transport, Sheppard kicked and resisted law enforcement repeatedly, stating that law enforcement would need several more cans of spray to get him to stop. Officers eventually had to put his feet in a hobble restraint, and while it was being secured, Sheppard spit on one of the officers.
At the Otter Tail County Jail, Sheppard provided a preliminary breath test value of 0.228 blood alcohol content.
Court records indicate that Sheppard caused an estimated $1,104 in damage to the squad car he was transported in. One of the officers involved in the incident required treatment for injuries at Lake Region Healthcare following Sheppard’s arrest.
Sheppard made his first appearance in Otter Tail County District Court on Nov. 6, and remains in custody at the Otter Tail County Detention Center.
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