Cheyenne man faces steeper charges in attack on officers with bat, club and

CHEYENNE — A local man who reportedly turned on law enforcement officers with a baseball bat now faces tougher charges under a new prosecutor.

Two counts of felony aggravated assault and battery with threat of a deadly weapon were filed Friday against Ronald Romero by recently hired prosecutor Laramie County Assistant District Attorney Jack Hatfield II.

Romero originally only faced one count of felony aggravated assault of a peace officer after allegedly attacking Cheyenne Police Department officers with a baseball bat, a knife and a club, as well as throwing foreign objects at officers.

Romero’s original charge was punishable by up to 10 years in prison. His new charges are typically punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine each.

Hatfield included a “habitual criminal” enhancement within the charge, which could make each count punishable by life in prison.

Officer James McClaskey was dispatched to a possible fight at the intersection of East Fifth Street and Van Lennen Avenue around 11:15 p.m. on April 17. When he arrived, he found Romero already engaged in an altercation with an officer, swinging a wooden bat at hip level and threatening to “kill the officer,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Uniformed officers gave verbal commands to Romero to drop the bat, and he continued to refuse.

Romero was tased twice by officers. However, Romero 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 in question and began hitting the door with the baseball bat.

Romero then proceeded to throw objects at the officers, including a glass object that hit officers with debris, according to McClaskey’s account.

Romero then entered the residence, re-emerging with a knife. According to the affidavit, Romero then stated, “Who’s the first one to get stuck with this f—ing blade?” and returned inside the residence.

Officers then entered the residence, discharging two nonlethal 40mm rounds at Romero, which struck him in the abdominal area. The non-lethal rounds were projectiles with foam tips and plastic bodies, according to CPD.

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According to McClaskey’s 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. His next hearing will be Dec. 16.

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