DC council candidate charged with assaulting deputy

A candidate for the Dodge Center City Council has been charged with assaulting a Dodge County deputy and with trespassing on school property, less than a month before the election.
According to Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose, Matthew David Legler, 48, was taken into custody last Thursday.
At approximately 7:41 p.m. on Thursday evening, a Dodge County Deputy on routine patrol in Dodge Center observed a vehicle he recognized as belonging to Legler driving on Triton School District property, Rose said.
Legler had been formally trespassed from the school district by school officials and the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in May due to previous concerning incidents and conduct at the school on various occasions. Records indicate a previous citation had also been issued for a trespassing violation on October 5.
After he observed the vehicle on school property, the deputy initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Hwy Street (CR34) and 6th Ave NW. After some discussion and an explanation of why he was stopped, the deputy advised Legler that he was being placed under arrest for trespassing, Rose said. The deputy instructed Legler several times to step out of the vehicle. Legler then called 911 reporting he was being arrested, that he needed someone to pick up his daughter at Owatonna High School, and that he was being assaulted, according to the sheriff’s release.
Legler eventually complied and stepped out, placing his hands behind his back. After the deputy placed the first handcuff on Legler, he tensed up and pulled away and started assaulting the deputy, striking him with closed fists on the side of the head several times, according to Rose. At this time a second deputy arrived on scene and tased Legler to stop the assault. Legler was then subdued by the two deputies, handcuffed, and arrested.
Dodge Center Ambulance was requested to respond to evaluate both the assaulted deputy and Legler. Legler was cleared and then transported to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center in Rochester.
The deputy, who was bleeding from the ear and experiencing head pain, was evaluated a second time that night and taken to St. Mary’s ER to be assessed and treated for the assault and for a concussion.
Legler was arraigned in Dodge County District Court via Zoom from the Olmsted ADC Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. and charged with:
4th Degree Assault on a Peace Officer — Felony
Trespassing — Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct — Misdemeanor
Improper Use of 911 — Misdemeanor
District Court Judge Debra Groehler ordered Legler to be held on $50,000 unconditional bail or $25,000 conditional bail with conditions to include: Keep in contact with attorney school or deputy. No possession of firearms. Ordered to surrender all firearms. Ordered not to leave state and sign waiver of extradition.
Triton Superintendent Craig Schlichting said he was unable to comment on the reason Legler was trespassed from the school to begin with.
Legler was not currently in jail, according to the Olmsted County Jail roster.
His next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. for a Rule 8 hearing.
In the Dodge Center City Council election Legler is set to face off against Braedon Dostal, David Myrom, and Cathy Skogen. Two candidates are elected.