ASU Cheerleader Eryn Bonner Charged With Misdemeanors Following Viral Altercation With Tempe Police
Arizona State University student and stunt team member Eryn Bonner has been charged with two misdemeanor counts stemming from a viral late-night encounter with Tempe police officers. The decision by city prosecutors comes after county officials previously declined to file felony charges in the case.
Eryn Bonner, a 21-year-old student and stunt team member at Arizona State University, is facing misdemeanor criminal charges following a viral physical incident with Tempe police officers, according to reporting by Hollywood Unlocked. Tempe Municipal Court records indicate that city prosecutors have officially charged Bonner with misdemeanor disorderly conduct as well as hindering or interfering with police officers.
The charges stem from a late-night altercation that occurred outside the CASA nightclub in Tempe, Arizona. Video footage of the interaction showed bike officers with the Tempe Police Department attempting to arrest two men while Bonner approached the scene. According to details reported by Hollywood Unlocked, officers instructed Bonner to step back, but she did not comply and instead made physical contact with an officer who was in the process of handcuffing a suspect.
Police documentation of the event asserts that Bonner attempted to pull the officer off one of the men. A police report cited by Hollywood Unlocked states that an officer shoved Bonner, after which she allegedly got up and approached the officer with clenched fists. The police narrative claims that as officers tried to take her into custody, she swung her arms before falling to the ground.
According to the police report detailed by Hollywood Unlocked, an officer tripped over Bonner during the attempt to restrain her, leading to a physical struggle on the ground. The report claims Bonner struck the officer multiple times on the left side of his face, prompting the officer to strike Bonner in the face to subdue her. Video recorded during the arrest showed the physical impact and captured Bonner shouting at officers while being taken into custody.
Initial reports indicated that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office had previously declined to bring charges against Bonner, citing a low likelihood of securing a conviction. However, several months after the incident took place, the City of Tempe elected to move forward with misdemeanor charges in municipal court.
Defense attorney Benjamin Taylor, who represents Bonner, released a formal statement expressing strong disappointment over the City of Tempe’s decision to file criminal charges. According to Taylor, county prosecutors had already evaluated the evidence and determined there was no reasonable likelihood of a conviction on felony counts. Taylor emphasized that the city’s decision to revive the case targets a student-athlete who experienced physical injuries and emotional distress during the arrest.
Kulture Newz has not independently confirmed the specific date of the next court appearance or whether internal reviews of the officers' conduct remain active with the Tempe Police Department.