Pelican Rapids Man Sentenced for Using an Officer’s Weapon Against Them

Cole Franzen (OTCDF)

Pelican Rapids, MN – A man that took a police officer’s weapon during a domestic incident has been sentenced to three months in jail and five years of probation as part of a plea agreement.

Otter Tail County prosecutors say 28-year-old Cole Franzen of Pelican Rapids was arrested in December for assaulting law enforcement while he was being arrested for domestic assault.

At one point, officers say Franzen was on top of an Otter Tail County Deputy and was tazed by a Pelican Rapids Police Officer. When the taser appeared to have no effect, the officer set it down to assist the deputy, at which point Franzen grabbed the weapon and used it on the deputy. Franzen continued to struggle with the officers but was ultimately secured and transported to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility.

On Monday, February 24^th, Franzen received his sentence of 90 days in jail and five years on probation. However, if he breaks the rules of his probation, he could be facing another 3 years in the Minnesota Correctional facility in St. Cloud.