Shawn Henry Staudinger, 43, of rural Comfrey has been charged with felony fourth-degree assault — demonstrable bodily harm to a peace officer, as well as gross misdemeanor obstruction of the legal process, in Cottonwood County Court.
According to the criminal complaint, Cottonwood County deputies learned that Staudinger would be at the Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services offices in Windom until sometime after 1 p.m. on June 10, and knew there was an active warrant for his arrest out of Brown County.
Officers waited outside the DVHHS building until roughly 1:31 p.m., with two deputies positioning themselves behind the door and other officers in the parking lot.
When Staudinger exited the building, a deputy said, “Hey Shawn.” Staudinger looked back, said, “no” and began running away when he was assisted to the ground by another deputy and was informed he was under arrest on a warrant from Brown County.
Staudinger refused to put his hands behind his back. A Windom police officer held Staudinger’s legs to stop him from kicking. During that process, the officer was kicked and received a small open wound on his left hand.
If convicted of the felony charge, Staudinger faces a maximum possible sentence of three years in prison, a $6,000 fine or both. The gross misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence, if convicted, of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine or both.
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