Sedona AZ (June 2, 2014) – At approximately 4:00 p.m. on May 29, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to a Congress, Arizona restaurant on Highway 89 after a victim called saying she had been assaulted and threatened.

The female victim said Yarnell, Arizona resident Donald Torgeson, 51, had accused her of taking cash before physically assaulting her in a Stanton area neighborhood (RV Park outside of Congress) while threatening to use a handgun if necessary. The victim told deputies that Torgeson was highly intoxicated at the time of the attack.

The victim admitted consuming several alcoholic beverages with Torgeson at the restaurant, before driving to the Stanton area as a passenger in his black Chevrolet Suburban. He eventually dropped her off near Stanton, but returned 10 minutes later and accused her of stealing cash from his vehicle glove box. At this point, she noticed Torgeson was bleeding on the left side of his face from an unknown cause. After grabbing her arm, he ‘jerked her over to the truck,” while making threats. He eventually let her go and drove away, leaving her alone with minor injuries. The victim returned to the Highway 89 restaurant and contacted YCSO.

Deputies went to Torgeson’s home only to find him driving nearby. Torgeson was stopped and arrested for Assault and Driving Under the Influence. He admitted being on active probation and said the dispute with the victim regarded an attempt to purchase meth.

Deputies transported Torgeson to the Yarnell (AZ) substation for DUI screening. While at the station Torgeson requested an opportunity to call his attorney, however, he used the phone to call 911 and report his arrest for “things he didn’t do” and not being allowed water. His action resulted in a Report of a False Emergency charge.

Medics treated Torgeson for the cut on his face but the origin of this injury is still unknown.

Torgeson refused to submit to all DUI testing. When a search warrant was obtained, Torgeson agreed to comply and provide a blood sample. A thousand dollars was seized from Torgeson, pending verification the money was part of an intended drug transaction.

Torgeson was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center and remains in-custody on a probation hold.

The public may contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at its website for more information on this and other crimes.