On October 31, 2025, sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic assault at a residence in Greenvale Township, Dakota County, MN. Dispatch advised there was yelling in the background, “I need a cop.” Also advised that children were screaming, and a male sounded very panicked. The caller hung up the phone and there was voicemail on callback. Deputies located Defendant MATTHEW JOSEPH FRANSSEN [DOB REDACTED] at the residence. Defendant was very uncooperative and defensive. As deputies spoke with him in the residence, Defendant was nervous and tensed his body to the point where the veins in his neck would bulge.
Defendant said, “you guys are gonna f****** arrest me… If that’s the case, I’d rather go in a body bag…Like straight up, you guys are gonna have to f****** kill me.” Defendant was initially compliant when walking out of the house, but when deputies informed him that he was under arrest, Defendant began to tense up. Deputies took control of his arms. A deputy tried to put his right arm behind his back since Defendant kept trying to reach around his waist. Defendant resisted and deputies could not get his arm behind his back.
Deputies performed a two-man-take-down and escorted Defendant to the ground. Once on the ground, deputies were able to place handcuffs on Defendant. From the arrest, one deputy had a wound on his left hand that was bleeding. Another deputy had a scrape on his elbow. Officers located the reporting party, M. S. P. (RP), and T. M. P. (Victim) in a vehicle parked up the road from the residence. RP believed that Defendant needed mental help. RP stated that Defendant had been yelling and charged into a wall.
Defendant called RP a whore. RP stated that Defendant began talking badly about Victim, her 21-year old son. RP stated that Victim defended himself when Defendant tackled him. Victim [NAME REDACTED] went home with his mother, RP, and three younger children, one 2-year old, and two 8-year olds. Victim [NAME REDACTED] went to his bedroom with his younger sister to get away from Defendant yelling. Victim then heard Defendant running through the house and Defendant “got in his face.” Victim stated that he put his hand on Defendant’s chest to create space and Defendant yelled, “stop choking me” and attempted to lower his body so that Victim’s hand was on his neck.
They separated before Defendant 2 19HA-CR-25-1922 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/3/2025 “bum rushed” Victim [NAME REDACTED] into the wall. While they were on the ground, Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a chokehold. He released Defendant when he said he could not breath. Defendant got up and tackled Victim again, and Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a chokehold. Victim told RP to call 911. Victim stated that when Defendant heard the 911 call, Defendant began scratching and trying to bite Victim.
