Becker County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Gary Lee Bruguier, 45, of rural Ogema, was sentenced in Becker County District Court for third-degree assault and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, both felony charges. The sentencing followed an August 13, 2022, incident where Bruguier assaulted a man in Ogema, knocking him unconscious, and then led police on a high-speed chase.
According to court records, officers arrived at the scene to find the victim unresponsive and not breathing, though he later regained consciousness after being transported to the hospital. Shortly after, Bruguier was spotted driving a van and fled from officers, eventually abandoning the vehicle and attempting to escape on foot before being apprehended.
Bruguier admitted to the assault and fleeing the police, citing that he “didn’t want to get caught driving,” as he was not supposed to be behind the wheel. On June 27, Judge Michael Fritz sentenced him to 21 months in prison, with the sentence stayed for five years, along with 117 days in jail (with credit for time served), and five years of supervised probation.
As part of a plea agreement, a separate felony theft charge, related to the theft of a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu in May 2022, was dropped. Bruguier is required to undergo educational and mental health assessments as part of his probation.