On May 15th, 2015, at 12:13 p.m. School Resource Officers at Senior High School attempted to take a student into custody for Assault.
The student, identified as Tanner L. Lukens, 16, of rural Dubuque, resisted officers’ attempts to take him into custody. One of the officers radioed for assistance and patrol officers were dispatched to the school. As back-up units were responding, the School Resource Officers were able to get Lukens into custody, only after being forced to utilize pepper defense spray. As a direct result of Lukens’ resistance, one of the School Resource Officers suffered a rib injury requiring hospitalization. The officer was later released from the hospital, but is expected to miss several days of work as the injury heals. Lukens was transported to the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center where he was processed and ordered into Juvenile Detention, authority Juvenile Court Services. He faces charges of Assault (Simple), Interference With Official Acts Causing Injury, and Harassment 1st Degree. The investigation revealed Lukens allegedly threatened another student and disrupted a class prior to officers’ contact with him. During this same time frame he also put a school staff member in fear by posturing in an assaultive manner while also disheveling the staff member’s work area.
Harassment 1st Degree and Interference With Official Acts Causing Injury are both Aggravated Misdemeanors punishable by a fine between $625 and $6,250, and imprisonment not to exceed 2 years. Simple Assault is a Simple Misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $65 and $625, and up to 30 days in jail.
As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.