Man Hit With Felony After Allegedly Biting Cheyenne Cop’s Arm

A 61-year-old transient is facing a felony charge after allegedly biting a Cheyenne police officer's arm.

According to a booking sheet, a police officer was dispatched to a verbal disturbance at Luther Place and Charles Street at about 5:58 p.m. on Tuesday and arrived to find another officer holding Ronald Conrade Benzel on the ground in the back of the Albertson's parking lot at 3355 E. Pershing Blvd.

Police: Benzel Was Actively Resisting

The officer says Benzel was actively resisting and wouldn't place his hands behind his back.

The officer holding Benzel on the ground told the responding officer that Benzel had thrown a piece of cardboard on the ground and was under the influence of alcohol.

She said that she had commanded Benzel to walk over to her, but he refused and was being belligerent and yelling.

When she tried to detain Benzel, she says he resisted by pulling away, pushing against her, biting her arm, and trying to hit her.

Benzel was placed in the WRAP and taken by ambulance to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, where he was cleared for jail.

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Benzel Charged With Interference, Littering

Benzel was subsequently charged with interference with a peace officer - bodily injury, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and two misdemeanors, including interference with a peace officer - no injury and littering.

Benzel made his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon, during which his bond was set at $1,000 cash and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for next Friday, Sept. 6 at 9:45 a.m.

Please remember that all suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.