Gerald Groenewold, director of UND's Energy and Environmental Research Center, posted bond today after being arrested for simple assault early Sunday, according to officials.
Grand Forks police arrested Groenewold, 62, at about 12:50 a.m. at 1807 Willow Drive after Groenewold's wife -- County Commissioner Connie Triplett -- reported him for "adult abuse," according to officials. Triplett, a Democrat, also represents District 18 in the North Dakota state Senate.
Groenewold was booked into the county jail on simple assault -- adult abuse, according to jail officials. Police did not release details of the allegations against Groenewold.
In August, Groenewold was charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly threatened Manvel, N.D., volunteer firefighters attempting to put out a controlled grass fire on his property just north of Grand Forks in April 2007.
Groenewold allegedly became upset when firefighters arrived on his property. Manvel Fire Chief Steve Schumer said Groenewold threatened the crew. He said Groenewold said that if they did not leave he was "going to get a gun."
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Groenewold shook a rake at one of the firefighters, according to the criminal complaint.
Groenewold denied that a confrontation occurred.
In November, prosecution on the misdemeanor charge was deferred. Under the deferment, Groenewold didn't have to plead guilty to the charge and further court hearings were put off under the stipulation that he face no more charges over the next year. If no new charges are filed against Groenewold, the previous misdemeanor charge will be dismissed and will be, essentially, erased from his record.
