Lawrence man faces six charges after alleged confrontation with KBI agents

A 23-year-old Lawrence man faces six charges Monday after an alleged weekend confrontation with Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents.

About 7 p.m. Friday, KBI agents said they noticed Shaunte James Russell driving erratically in the area of Sixth and Maine streets, where they were conducting an unrelated investigation, said Frank Papish, assistant director of the KBI.

Russell used his vehicle against an agent’s vehicle in an aggressive way, Papish said, and during Russell’s arrest drugs were found in his vehicle. Russell’s 1-year-old son was also in the vehicle.

He was arrested, and spent his 23rd birthday on Saturday in jail.

On Monday, prosecutors charged Russell with aggravated child endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana after a previous conviction, reckless driving and two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

If convicted of all charges, Russell could be sentenced to more than 16 years in prison, depending on his criminal history.

A Douglas County district judge had set a $10,000 bond for Russell following his arrest, but prosecutors asked Judge Pro Tem James George to raise it to $20,000. After Russell pleaded with George to keep the amount at $10,000, George agreed.

“Very seldom do I raise (bonds) when somebody is here who already can’t make it,” George said.

Russell is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. He remains in the Douglas County Jail.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office declined to release Russell’s booking photo.