BISMARCK – Donnie Lee, Minot, was arrested last Thursday in Bismarck and charged with myriad felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly assaulting police officers who woke him from a car that had been reported stolen.

According to court documents, officers responded at around 8:20 a.m. to a call about a vehicle with a man, later identified as Lee, apparently passed out in the driver’s seat. Officers judged the vehicle to be the one reported to be involved in a hit-and-run car crash nearby, as it had damage that seemed to fit the incident. A driver in a car with the same description had earlier been seen acting aggressively towards other drivers and getting out of his vehicle to threaten another individual. A driver whose vehicle had been struck by the aggressive motorist called in the description of the man.

When officers arrived, they saw a man slumped over the steering wheel, with apparent drug paraphernalia on the floor, court documents stated. They also observed numerous folding knives within reach of Lee, according to the affidavit of probable cause, as well as handgun ammunition in a clear container.

Officers requested an ambulance and attempted to wake Lee. He woke up and was instructed to leave the vehicle. He refused, and officers attempted to detain him due to the proximity of the weapons. He physically resisted being removed from the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive. Officers turned off the vehicle.

The court document stated Lee kicked an officer in the chest and remained uncooperative, refusing to exit the police cruiser at the hospital for medical clearance. Lee bit the same officer he kicked during that interaction as well, drawing blood, then he spit in another officer’s eyes and face.

The car was confirmed stolen from Minot and within it officers found women’s driver’s licenses, as well as more than 3,000 quarters, construction equipment, syringes and other items. A homemade lock pick also was found in the car.

Lee was ultimately charged with two counts of simple assault-peace officer, criminal mischief-willful damage, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, knowing contact by bodily fluids-law enforcement, preventing arrest-felony, theft-possession $10,000-50,000, theft-possession $1,000-10,000, second offense possession of methamphetamine, second offense unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of five or fewer controlled substance pills.

Judge Daniel Borgen of the South Central District Court is overseeing the case. A jury trial is scheduled for December. Lee currently is represented by a court appointed attorney.