An Arizona State University senior, Eryn Bonner, is facing criminal charges after reportedly punching a police officer and interfering during an arrest late this summer.
The incident occurred in July on Mill Avenue in Tempe, as detailed in a report by KNXV-TV.
A spokesperson from the Tempe Police Department confirmed to KNXV that Bonner has been charged with two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct and interfering with police. These charges stem from an arrest where she allegedly assaulted an officer multiple times, a moment captured in video evidence showing the officer attempting to control the situation.
The Tempe Officers Association released a statement backing the charges against Bonner, which they stated aligns with the comprehensive video evidence available from the incident. They criticized the portrayal of the event on social media and reinforced that the officers acted appropriately given the circumstances:
“The filing of charges against Ms. Bonner aligns with what the complete video evidence has shown from the beginning: This incident was far different from the brief clip circulated on social media and her attorney’s repeated misstatements about the facts of the case. The video shows Ms. Bonner repeatedly ignoring officers’ commands to step back while they were attempting to control an active arrest. TOA remains confident that the officers acted appropriately under difficult circumstances.”
Additionally, it was reported by KNXV that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office initially declined to pursue felony charges. An initial misdemeanor charge was filed and later dismissed, only for the Tempe authorities to refile the case with additional misdemeanor charges after scrutinizing the evidence.
Josh Logan, a former police officer and consultant, expressed that his review of the footage indicates Bonner approached officers who were trying to restrain an individual and allegedly struck one of them, aligning with standards of aggravated assault.
He stated, “The female is actually striking the police officer with her fists and her legs. That fits that definition of aggravated assault.” Logan also mentioned that if her actions were true, the police response was justified as it falls within most police departments’ protocols.
Bonner, part of the ASU stunt team, reportedly sustained bruises from the event. Her attorney, Benjamin Taylor, argued that the officer involved should lose his job, calling the force used during the arrest excessive and suggesting that the timing of the charges seemed punitive. He indicated that this could be a move to sidestep potential civil liability.
As the internal review from the Tempe Police Department continues, Taylor is advocating for an external investigation due to concerns about the oversight of the case, especially given past issues involving the sergeant in charge. Meanwhile, the city’s police union defended the integrity of the investigation.
Bonner has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a pretrial conference is set for November 4 in Tempe City Court.
