Man Faces Multiple Charges of Abuse Against Oakdale Woman

A Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy arrested a man last week who faces a string of domestic abuse-related charges connected to alleged incidents that took place in Oakdale including motor vehicle theft and fighting with a police officer to resist arrest.

Laco K. West, 44, was arrested in St. Paul Monday, Feb. 14, on a warrant issued when he didn’t show up for sentencing for a domestic assault charge in October of 2009. He is now scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, for initial appearances related to three alleged incidents.

West was previously convicted of gross misdemeanor domestic assault in June of 2000.

He is charged in connection with the following incidents, according to the Washington County District Court complaints:

• On July 26, 2009, West allegedly stole an Oakdale woman’s car, and resisted arrest when officers caught him at the SuperAmerica gas station at 7570 10^th Street in Oakdale. West allegedly struggled so much with police to avoid being handcuffed that he and an officer both ended up on the ground before the officer could gain control over him. The woman had an order for protection against West. For this incident, West faces charges of violating an order for protection within 10 years of a previous conviction, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines; motor vehicle theft, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines; and obstructing the legal process, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $3,000 in fines.
• On Sept. 27, 2009, West allegedly showed up at the Oakdale woman’s home in violation of the order for protection against him, and stole her cell phone. For this incident, West is charged with violating an order for protection within 10 years of a previous conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
• On Sept. 30, 2009, West allegedly kicked down the door of the Oakdale woman’s home, punched her, threatened to kill her and then stole her car. The woman suffered facial fractures, and man she had called to the house that morning had bite marks that penetrated the skin, according to the court complaint. For this incident, West is charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $35,000 in fines; felony domestic assault, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines; violating an order for protection within 10 years of a previous conviction, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines; and third-degree assault, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
• On Oct. 11, 2009, West allegedly sent the Oakdale woman two text messages in violation of the order for protection against him. One of the messages said, "for d kids sake as well as yours please find jesus," according to the court complaint. For this incident, he is charged with violating an order for protection within 10 years of a previous conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
• On Oct. 13, 2009, West allegedly sent two text messages to the Oakdale woman in violation of the order for protection filed against him. For this, he is charged with violating an order for protection within 10 years of a previous conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.