FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Court records say just before 4 p.m. on Monday, November 4, Fergus Falls Fire Chief Ryan Muchow responded by radio to a call regarding the possible burning of illegal materials at 324 Cecil. Street.

Sergeant Silbernagel noticed a large column of black smoke coming from the backyard of the reported address.

Court records say when Sgt. When Silbernagel and Chief Muchow arrived at the home, they found Allen Sheppard upset and pacing. Records say Sheppard yelled at Sgt. Silbernagel needs to get off his property.

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

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

Sergeant. Silbernagel noted that he saw plastic in the fire, and court documents say he explained to Sheppard that burning plastic in recreational campfires is prohibited by the City Ordinance. Sergeant. Silbernagel said that after several attempts to get Sheppard to put out the fire, he was arrested for obstructing legal process.

While Sheppard was being arrested, court records say he became combative and was taken to the ground. Court documents say Sheppard kicked parts of the back seat several times on the way to jail, so law enforcement used an OC chemical irritant to subdue Sheppard. Officers said they were able to get Sheppard’s feet into a limping restraint, but as they did so, Sheppard spat on them.

Court records state Sheppard had a .228 BAC while in prison. It is estimated that Sheppard caused $1,104 in damage to his squad car.

Sheppard was charged with felony obstruction of legal process, 2 counts of 4th Degree Assault, felony criminal damage to property charges, as well as two misdemeanor charges.

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