Update: Man in viral video pleads guilty to assaulting Fargo police officers

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – A man who assaulted three police officers in downtown Fargo in June has pleaded guilty and is heading to prison.

Joseph Manitowabi appeared in court Monday morning to change his plea.

“I just like to say I’m sorry about the whole thing. I just didn’t understand why they were putting their hands on me and I thought I was in the right to defend myself because they were putting their hands on me for no reason. I was walking on the road and I thought I had the right to defend myself.”

Manitowabi pleaded guilty to all six charges, including assaulting three police officers, preventing arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, and refusal to halt.

During the hearing, the state’s recommendation for assaulting the officers was for three years. But Manitowabi’s defense attorney argued for just one year and one day stating he feels remorseful for his actions and would not repeat it.

“This was an unusual situation where my client was taken by surprise was not anticipating law enforcement being involved and not anticipating law enforcement to react the way that they did and so that is why I say sentencing factor eight in this instance the defendant’s action is not likely to reoccur.”

“I mean you’re saying it’s conduct not likely to reoccur well, I don’t know if that’s supported by the record.”

On the day he was arrested, Manitowabi had been recently released from jail for robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terrorizing with a deadly weapon, and preventing arrest.

“Taking into consideration of the criminal history especially, what’s different this time?”

Manitowabi will serve two years in prison, followed by three years’ supervised release for the assaults, 360 days for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, 360 days for preventing arrest and 30 days for refusal to halt.

All of the sentences will be served concurrently.