Desjardins admits to assaulting officer

A Ronan man, who was accused of fighting with law enforcement as they attempted to arrest him in connection with a theft, admitted to assaulting a peace officer.

Michael Bernard Desjardins Jr., 61, entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors during a change-of-plea hearing in Polson District Court Dec. 7. The agreement calls for the imposition of sentencing being deferred for three years on the charge of assaulting a peace officer, and a charge of resisting arrest being dismissed at sentencing.

According to court records, on July 28, 2023, Ronan police responded to a report that Desjardins had left Ace Hardware store with a coffee-related product. They located Desjardins about three blocks away.

As police attempted to speak with him, he took off running across U. S. Highway 93 and ignored officers’ commands. The officers eventually caught Desjardins on the highway, where he refused to put his hands behind his back or cooperate and punched one of the officers.

The officer’s glasses were knocked off, causing two lacerations near his eye. Desjardins was taken to the ground and placed in two sets of handcuffs. He received medical treatment from an ambulance crew at the scene before he was transported to the Lake County Jail.

Once there, he refused to exit the patrol unit. He was eventually placed into a restraint chair before he was booked into the jail.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set sentencing for Feb. 1. Desjardins remains at liberty pending sentencing.