Valley man arrested for punching, kicking troopers

MEADOW LAKES — An argument over whether he should go to rehab spiraled out of control and ended with a man punching one Alaska State Trooper in the face and kicking another in the side of the head before he was carted off to jail.

According to a sworn statement Trooper Christopher Havens filed in the case against Tyler Ryan Rasmussen, 26, it was actually Rasmussen who called troopers first at 12:20 a.m., Dec. 28.

Trooper Daniel Sadloske arrived at the home first and was talking to Rasmussen.

“Rasmussen appeared highly intoxicated, had bloodshot watery eyes, a thick slurred speech, was swaying while standing and had an odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath,” Havens writes.

Rasmussen told troopers about the argument.

“His wife … started to argue with him, requesting he attend rehab for treatment. Rasmussen stated he was upset that she supplied her 17-year-old son with alcohol. He contacted AST and requested that his wife be removed from the residence,” Havens wrote.

Havens said he determined there hadn’t been a crime committed and started describing Rasmussen’s options for him, telling the man his wife wouldn’t be leaving the house that night.

“He became very upset and raised his voice. Rasmussen made a comment to the effect of, ‘if you’re not going to do anything, than I will, and you’re not going to like it,’” Havens writes.

Havens asked for clarification. Rasmussen became angry, growing “increasingly hostile,” according to Havens’ statement.

“Rasmussen was in a fighting stance with his fist balled, was yelling and making quick movements,” Havens writes.

When Rasmussen went to pull something out of his pocket, Havens pushed him in the chest and grabbed for his hands.

“Rasmussen raised his right hand, swung, and with full force punched me in the left eye,” Havens writes.

With Sadloske’s help, Havens continued trying to get control of Rasmussen, who kept throwing punches. Havens writes that he punched back, hitting Rasmussen in the face and body. Eventually Rasmussen fell on the bed.

“He fell onto the bed and kicked at myself and Trooper Sadloske. Trooper Sadloske was kicked by Rasmussen on the left side of his face. Rasmussen was wearing large snow boots at the time,” Havens writes.

A third trooper came into the room at this point, Trooper Pete Steen, who Tasered Rasmussen in his left thigh and lower back for two seconds.

“Rasmussen continued to struggle for several more seconds prior to being placed in handcuffs,” Havens writes.

During the struggle, Rasmussen started bleeding from his nose. He spit blood on Havens, soiling his hands and uniform.

When it was all said and done, Sadloske didn’t have any marks on his face, but said that spot where he’d been kicked hurt. Havens, meanwhile, had a bleeding scratch on his eyelid, a swollen, bruised cheek, blurred vision and an eye contusion.

Rasmussen was jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility charged with assault, harassment — for spitting blood on Havens — and resisting arrest.

His bail was set at $50,000. As of Thursday afternoon he’d made bail and been released.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270

or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.