DETROIT LAKES - Norman Eldred Olson Jr., 47, of Graystone Annex, Apt. 202, Detroit Lakes has been charged in Becker County District Court with gross misdemeanor fourth-degree assault of a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer.
The charges were originally felonies, but were lowered to gross misdemeanors in an amended complaint filed by the County Attorney's Office Wednesday.
Officers were called to the Graystone Plaza on July 5 about 6:25 p.m. on a report of a disturbance. They allegedly found Olson in a rage, saying someone had spit on him and demanding that something be done about it. He was cursing and pounding on the intercom button with his fingers as he talked to the officers.
He refused to calm down and angrily put his face close to one officer's face. As the officer begin to handcuff him, Olson allegedly broke free and punched him in the face. The two officers then put the struggling man on the floor and handcuffed him, according to court records.
He appeared before District Judge Peter Irvine July 7, who ordered him released without bail, on his own recognizance. His next appearance is Aug. 11.
