FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – 37-year-old Joseph Manitowabi has pled not guilty to six charges stemming from an incident on June 7, where he allegedly assaulted three Fargo PD officers.
Manitowabi has been charged with three counts of simple assault of a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, preventing arrest, and refusal to halt.
According to court documents, officers were dispatched to a narcotics call at 625 2nd Ave. N. One officer was watching live-stream cameras inside the Roberts Commons Parking Ramp and saw, what appeared to be, two people smoking meth on the second floor of the ramp.
Officers identified both of the men, one of whom was trespassed and had an active warrant. The other was Manitowabi.
In Cass County court on Wednesday, June 23, an officer involved in the incident went on the witness stand and described what happened as they were
“We informed him that he was detained for reports of narcotic activity,” said Officer Avery Jensen, Fargo Police Department. “Officer Winter proceeded to place handcuffs, we briefly had his hands behind his back, and almost immediately he started resisting.”
According to the incident report, Manitowabi then proceeded to punch the three officers before running north on Roberts Street, where he was soon arrested afterwards.
Manitowabi is scheduled to be back in court on August 28 at 3 pm.
