Seven people have been charged in connection with the beating of a Mandan man over the weekend.

Acting Mandan Police Chief Dennis Bullinger said officers responded to a report of a man passed out in a vehicle at 12:45 a.m. Sunday. Police found Robert Ponce, 23, who had been severely beaten and placed in his car on the 800 block of South Frontier Trail, Bullinger said.

He said Ponce was taken to a Bismarck hospital by ambulance. Bullinger did not know Ponce's current medical condition Monday afternoon but said his injuries appeared serious when officers responded to the call.

People inside the residence where the car was parked would not open the door, and officers had information that the person who had assaulted Ponce was inside, Bullinger said. He said officers had to force their way into the home, and they arrested seven people inside.

Adam Peltier, 21, was charged Monday with aggravated assault, a Class C felony. South Central District Judge Sonna Anderson set bond for Peltier at $2,000 cash or surety and prohibited him from contacting the victim or using alcohol. Peltier told Anderson he lives in Bismarck.

Randy Poitra, 20, Kelly Allery, 20, and Alyndra Lord, 18, were charged Monday with physical obstruction of a government function for allegedly not opening the door to the home. Anderson set bond for Allery and Lord at $150 cash or surety, but set a $750 cash or surety bond for Poitra after he had a hard time telling the judge details of his living situation and work history.

Morton County Assistant State's Attorney Brian Grosinger recommended the higher bond for Poitra following his rambling answers to Anderson's questions, saying he has "absolutely no confidence that he will appear under any circumstances."

Poitra, Allery and Lord reported living at addresses in Bismarck.

Crystal Bitz, 18 of Mandan, was charged Monday with physical obstruction of a government function and minor in possession or consumption. She had posted bond prior to the other defendants' court appearances. The amount of her bond was not available.

Bullinger said two 16-year-old Mandan girls were cited with hindering law enforcement. One of the two girls also was cited with curfew and disorderly conduct.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)