Mahnomen: Man Accused Of Spitting On Officer
Mahnomen (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo man is facing several charges after a disturbance at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen.
The case involves Jesse Aaron Peterson, of Fargo, North Dakota. He is charged in Mahnomen County District Court under court file number 44-CR-26-312.
The complaint says the incident happened on June 1, 2026, at about 2:42 a.m. Casino staff called law enforcement about two animated men. Staff said the men refused to return to their hotel room.
According to the complaint, one man was outside near a rear hotel entrance. He was identified as Hunter Dean Hoff. The complaint says Hoff told officers he was “on acid.”
A second man was later found near the front of the hotel. He was shirtless, sweating, pacing, and yelling. Officers said they believed he was under the influence of a controlled substance.
Charges Filed In Mahnomen County
Peterson is charged with felony fourth-degree assault on a peace officer. That charge involves allegedly throwing or transferring bodily fluids onto an officer.
He is also charged with obstructing legal process, fourth-degree assault on a peace officer, and disorderly conduct.
More information about Minnesota’s fourth-degree assault law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Complaint Details Hotel Room Search
The complaint says officers later searched a casino hotel room after getting a warrant. Officers reported finding syringes, suspected methamphetamine, drug pipes, a scale, marijuana, and suspected LSD blotter paper.
The complaint says about 22.56 grams of suspected methamphetamine were seized. It also says that about 13 suspected LSD doses were found.
According to the complaint, Hoff told officers that a gray backpack was his. Peterson is the defendant listed in this complaint.
The complaint says Peterson resisted officers during the arrest process. It also says he was taken for medical clearance before being booked.
While inside a patrol vehicle, Peterson allegedly spat through an opening in a divider. The complaint says the spit hit an officer’s arm and face.
Peterson later refused to walk back to the patrol vehicle, according to the complaint. Officers said he braced himself while they tried to place him in the back seat.
Details on Minnesota court access are available through Minnesota Court Records Online. The court notes that online records are not the official court record.
All charges are allegations. Peterson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.