Man charged with attempted murder of Herington police officer and four other charges

Justin Joseph Orozco faces five charges in Dickinson County District Court, including attempted second-degree murder of a Herington police officer, after prosecutors filed a complaint against him Nov. 4.

Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 2 in Dickinson County, Orozco intentionally tried to kill a Herington Police Department officer who was performing his duties, by kicking the officer in the head while he was unconscious. As an alternative to that count, the complaint charges aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, alleging he knowingly caused the officer great bodily harm or disfigurement.

The complaint also alleges that Orozco obstructed or resisted people authorized to serve process in a felony case, communicated a threat of violence against a law enforcement officer, caused bodily harm to a person with whom he had a dating or family relationship, and damaged a door, causing less than $1,000 in damage.

The complaint lists attempted second-degree murder as a severity level 2 person felony and the alternative aggravated battery count as a severity level 3 person felony. Interference with law enforcement is charged as a severity level 9 nonperson felony and criminal threat as a severity level 8 person felony. Domestic battery and criminal damage to property are class B misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in county jail.

The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office filed the case. Orozco was in custody with bond set at $1 million cash or surety, and a no-contact order was entered as a bond condition. Orozco made a first appearance Nov. 4 before District Judge Benjamin J. Sexton, who appointed Christopher Ambrose to represent him. Brock Abbey and Cia Huebner of the Dickinson County Attorney's Office are prosecuting. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

The case is DK-2026-CR-000219.

Criminal charges are allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.