Minn. Man Sentenced For Assaulting Trooper

WALKER, Minn. (AP) — A northern Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than four years behind bars for assaulting a state trooper while she was trying to arrest him last October.

A Cass County judge Wednesday also sentenced 26-year-old Elijah Knowles of Akeley to six years probation and ordered him to pay $2,492 in restitution.

A jury convicted Knowles of assault, disarming a peace officer, DWI, fleeing police and obstructing the legal process.

Authorities say Trooper Darcy Gagnon stopped Knowles on Highway 34 on suspicion of DWI. As Gagnon tried to handcuff Knowles, he hit her on the head with the trooper's Taser, then put the stun gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but the safety was on.

Gagnon missed two weeks but has since returned to full duty.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)