Jury Convicts Champlin Man Of Assaulting Washington Co. Deputies

STILLWATER, MN — A Washington County jury convicted a Champlin man Wednesday afternoon of multiple felony charges for assaulting law enforcement officers during a traffic stop in 2021.

Anyeth Abdalla Deng, 27, was found guilty of three counts of felony fourth-degree assault against a peace officer and one count of threats of violence after he assaulted two Washington County sheriff’s deputies.

"During his testimony at trial, Deng displayed the same revolting disrespect for authority and the law that he demonstrated during the traffic stop that day," said Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson.

"Deng’s unprovoked, abhorrent assaults on the sheriff’s deputies is far beyond anything law enforcement should have to endure while serving our community. The Washington County Sheriff Deputies are to be commended for their professionalism in bringing this incident to a safe and successful close. This office will do all in its power to hold Deng accountable for his conduct," he added.

Deng's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 19.

According to the criminal complaint, on the evening of Sept. 30, 2021, Deng was stopped for a covered license plate and other equipment violations on Frenchman Road in Hugo.

When deputies approached the vehicle, Deng was "verbally confrontational" and deputies smelled marijuana, according to authorities.

After stepping out of the vehicle, Deng refused to remove his hands from his pockets along with other orders, police said.

He became physically aggressive when the deputies attempted to place him in handcuffs and punched a deputy four times with a closed fist in the face and head, according to authorities.

While the deputies were taking Deng to the ground to control him, a deputy received an injury to his head that resulted in bleeding, police said.

Deng continued to be combative after other officers arrived to assist in putting him in the squad car, according to authorities.

He mule kicked, tried to bite a deputy, spat on both deputies, and damaged the vehicle, investigators said.

While being taken to jail, Deng made repeated graphic and violent threats against the second deputy and his family to be carried out once he was released the next day, police said.