CHEYENNE — A plea agreement for a local man accused of turning on law enforcement officers with a baseball bat fell through due to new pending charges.
Ronald Andrew Romero pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and battery with threat of a deadly weapon in December and was scheduled to enter a change of plea as a part of a stipulated plea deal Monday.
Romero refused to appear in court Monday, according to Romero’s legal counsel, Senior Assistant Public Defender Baend J. Buus. Despite his refusal to appear, the court was able to discuss a revocation of bond due to new charges. Additionally, Judge Steven Sharpe issued a bench warrant for Romero.
Romero was arrested Monday on charges of felony witness intimidation and misdemeanor domestic battery and interference with a peace officer, resisting with no injury.
Romero is scheduled to appear on bond revocation on April 7 and is scheduled for a change of plea and sentencing on April 21, more than a year after his initial arrest.
Romero allegedly attacked Cheyenne Police Department officers with a baseball bat, a knife and a club as well as throwing objects at officers, around 11:15 p.m. on April 17, 2024.
Romero’s new charges have yet to be filed with the court.
A failed plea bargain
Laramie County Assistant District Attorney Jack Hatfield II included a “habitual criminal” enhancement within Romero’s charges, making both counts of aggravated assault and battery punishable by life in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
If the plea deal had not been dropped by both parties Monday, Romero would have pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and battery, provided the other count of aggravated assault and battery was dismissed with prejudice.
Additionally, the state and the defense had agreed to a sentence of 10-12 years in prison, which the court would have no ability to suspend.
Romero would have also had to comply with several other conditions. Both the state and the defense told the court to expect a new plea deal once they’re able to assess Romero’s new charges.
Should Romero continue to refuse to appear, prosecutors said they would file a writ of habeas corpus, which would require the jail to present Romero in court no matter his refusal to appear.
While this is an option, Judge Sharpe said he had confidence in Buus’s ability to reason with his client, and he would prefer Romero appear willingly.
New charges
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Monday, the Cheyenne Police Department responded to a physical disturbance in Laramie County.
Upon arrival, Romero resisted a pat-down from officers, who wanted to check him for weapons due to his agitated state, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
According to witnesses on the scene, Romero got into a physical dispute with residents of the property. Romero allegedly slammed a door on the hand of one resident, drawing blood from her hand, and kicked the same resident in the chest.
When another resident stepped in to help and get the police involved, Romero allegedly shoved that resident with his shoulder.
The affidavit contained no specific information in regard to the witness intimidation charge.
Original charges
Late on the night of April 17, 2024, Officer James McClaskey was dispatched to a possible fight at the intersection of East Fifth Street and Van Lennen Avenue. When he arrived, he found Romero already engaged in an altercation with an officer.
Romero was allegedly swinging a wooden bat at hip level and threatening to “kill the officer,” according to the arrest affidavit. He did not comply with commands to drop the bat and was tased twice by officers.
Romero allegedly tore the taser cables from his body and threw them to the ground, according to the affidavit. He then walked to the south entrance of the residence and began hitting the door with the baseball bat.
He then proceeded to throw objects at the officers, hitting officers with the debris of a glass object, according to McClaskey’s account.
Romero then entered the residence, re-emerging with a knife, according to the affidavit.
“Who’s the first one to get stuck with this f—ing blade?” Romero stated before returning inside the residence.
Officers entered the residence, and discharged two nonlethal 40mm rounds on Romero, striking him in the abdominal area.
According to the report, “Romero seemed unfazed by the non-lethal rounds and continued to not comply with officer commands to drop the bat. Romero armed himself with a wooden club and baseball bat again.”
Eventually, officers were able to negotiate with Romero. He “settled down,” complied with officer commands, was taken into custody and transferred to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, according to the affidavit.
Romero waived his right to a preliminary hearing and has a bond of $10,000 cash or surety set by the court, which will likely be forfeited due to the new charges.
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