Fergus Falls Man Arrested During Backyard Cremation Ceremony

Allen Sheppard (OTCDF)

Fergus Falls, MN – 48-year-old Allen Sheppard was arrested Monday afternoon (November 4th) after claiming that it was his right to cremate his grandmother and obstructing law enforcement.

According to court documents, the Fergus Falls Fire and Police Departments responded to a report of someone possibly burning illegal materials in a backyard on Cecil Avenue at around 3:40. While enroute to the residence, a large column of black smoke could be seen coming from the backyard.

When officers arrived on the scene, Sheppard appeared upset and when he saw an officer, he became irate and started yelling at them to get off the property, claiming himself as one of the last chiefs of a Native American tribe and that the officer was violating the “Peace Treat” and trying to steal his land. He also stated that as a Native American he had the right to cremate his grandmother and was celebrating a Native American cremation ceremony with the fire.

The officer noticed plastics in the fire and attempted to explain to Sheppard that burning the plastics was in violation of City Ordinance. The homeowner indicated that she had not provided permission for anyone to burn plastics on her property and Sheppard was asked to put the fire out, to which he replied that he would eventually.

The officer told Sheppard multiple times that he needed to put the fire out now and Sheppard refused. The officer then informed Sheppard that he was under arrest for obstructing the legal process and to put his hands behind his back. Instead, Sheppard lifted his hands and backed away from the officers, making a motion suggestive to punching at one of the officers.

The officers pulled Sheppard to the ground as he continued to resist and remain noncompliant with their commands. On the way to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility, he kicked and damaged the rear passenger side door, spit on an officer, and banged his head on the door. Multiple types of restraint were used, until an officer eventually sat in the back of the squad car and restrained him.

Once at the jail, Sheppard provided a preliminary breath test and had a blood alcohol content value of 0.228. The officer who had restrained Sheppard in the squad car was treated for injuries at Lake Region Hospital related to his resistance. Sheppard caused an estimated $1,104 in damage to the squad car.

Sheppard has been charged with one count of Obstructing the Legal Process, two counts of 4th Degree Assault Towards a Peace Officer, one count of Criminal Damage to Property, and two misdemeanor charges.

Sheppard is also facing charges of Obstruction and Property Damage from a case of assault earlier this year.