FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Court records say that on Monday, November 4, just before 4:00 p.m., Fergus Falls Fire Chief Ryan Muchow radioed that he was responding to a call of possible fire burning. illegal materials at 324 Cecil. Avenue.

Sergeant Silbernagel noted having seen a large column of black smoke coming from the backyard of the reported home.

Court records say that when Sgt. Silbernagel and Chief Muchow arrived at the house, they saw that Allen Sheppard was upset and pacing back and forth. Records say Sheppard yelled at Sgt. Silbernagel to leave your property.

Sheppard allegedly told Sgt. Silbernagel who was one of the last remaining chiefs of a Native American tribe and that Sgt. Silbernagel was a white man who came to steal their land.

In court paperwork, Sheppard said he was a Native American and had the right to cremate his grandmother, to hold a Native American cremation ceremony with fire.

Sergeant. Silbernagel noted seeing plastic in the fire, and court documents say he explained to Sheppard that city ordinance prohibited burning plastic in a recreational campfire. Sergeant. Silbernagel says that after several attempts to get Sheppard to put out the fire, he was arrested for obstructing the legal process.

While Sheppard was arrested, court records say he became combative and was taken to the ground. Court documents say that while on the way to jail, Sheppard kicked parts of the back seat several times, so authorities used an OC chemical irritant to try to control Sheppard. Officers say they were able to restrain Sheppard’s feet, but as they did so, Sheppard spit on them.

Court records note that while in jail, Sheppard had a BAC of 0.228. It is estimated that Sheppard caused $1,104 worth of damage to the patrol car.

Sheppard has been charged with felony obstruction of legal process, 2 felony counts of fourth-degree assault, felony criminal damage to property, along with two misdemeanor counts.

Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.