Willmar man sentenced for interfering with officer during Redwood Falls police call

A Willmar man, John Richard Kaufenberg, age 53, was sentenced in Redwood County Court for interfering with a law officer during a police call last October.

According to court documents, on Oct. 19, a Redwood Falls police officer responded to a residence on a report there was a hostile dog not on a leash. The officer spoke with Kaufenberg on the porch of the house, where Kaufenberg reportedly admitted the dog wasn’t on a leash when it ran after an area resident and bared its teeth. Kaufenberg also stated the dog was unlicensed.

When the officer asked Kaufenberg to identify himself, Kaufenberg turned and went into the house, ignoring the officer’s commands to stop, and slamming a door in the officer’s face. When the officer informed Kaufenberg he was under arrest for obstruction of justice, Kaufenberg physically resisted arrest. The officer later reported he sustained injuries on his right art, knee, ankle, and lower back.

On Jan. 3, Kaufenberg was sentenced for gross misdemeanor interfering with a peace officer to 364 days local confinement, stayed 359 days for two years, supervised probation for two years, and fines and fees of $235.