Woman Accused of Fleeing Dakota County Deputy at High Speeds, Biting Corrections Deputy at Jail
Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 15th 2026.
HASTINGS - A 27-year-old woman faces two felony charges and a misdemeanor DWI charge after allegedly fleeing a Dakota County sheriff's deputy at high speeds before biting a corrections deputy during booking at the Dakota County Jail.
Marisa Francis Martinez, 27, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with felony fourth-degree assault of a correctional facility employee causing demonstrable bodily harm, felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, and misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident began around 11:51 p.m. on October 13, 2026, when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle traveling southbound on Vermillion Street near Cannon Street in Hastings. Radar allegedly showed the vehicle traveling 75 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.
The deputy activated emergency lights and sirens and pursued the vehicle, reaching speeds of approximately 120 mph without closing the distance, according to court documents.
Prosecutors allege the vehicle continued along Highway 61 before turning onto 240th Street and Cannon Falls Boulevard. During the pursuit, the driver allegedly turned off the vehicle's headlights and passed another vehicle using the opposite lane of travel.
The vehicle eventually turned onto 250th Street, a gravel road, where it stopped. Deputies identified Martinez as the driver and sole occupant and placed her under arrest.
According to the complaint, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Martinez. After waiving her Miranda rights, she allegedly admitted to drinking that evening and stated she was "not completely sober."
Martinez reportedly displayed multiple indicators of impairment during field sobriety testing, and a preliminary breath test indicated an alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.08.
The complaint further alleges that Martinez assaulted a corrections deputy after arriving at the Dakota County Jail.
During transport, Martinez allegedly became agitated and had to be removed from the squad vehicle by corrections deputies. While being processed into the jail, she reportedly resisted staff, prompting deputies to take her to the ground.
During the struggle, Martinez allegedly bit a corrections deputy on the forearm and attempted to bite him a second time. The deputy reported experiencing pain, and photographs documented a red bite mark consistent with the alleged assault.
The felony assault charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, while the felony fleeing charge carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day. The misdemeanor DWI charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
All charges are allegations. Martinez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.