On 1/2/2026 at 01:25 hours, Deputies responded emergently to [ADDRESS REDACTED], located in Garrison, Crow Wing County for the report of a female being held against her will and being physically abused. EH called to report that she received a call from her friend, DM who told EH that she was at the listed address with Deroos Micheal Deroos, [DOB REDACTED], who had choked her, pulled her hair, and sexually assaulted her. Mille Lacs Tribal PD and Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office responded to assist.
It was reported by Tribal officers that two vehicles pulled out of the listed address and began heading southbound on US Hwy 169. Tribal officers stopped the two vehicles in question. The three occupants, JJS, HJR, and JLP (fully identified in police reports), all noted having witnessed concerning behavior while at the Deroos residence. JJS stated that he was at Deroos' residence with HJR and JLP for approximately 30 minutes. While there JJS observed Deroos grab Deroos' girlfriend by her hair. JJS did not know the girlfriend's name.
JJS also stated he heard screaming coming from another room where Deroos and his girlfriend were but couldn't make out what was being said. When he left the unknown woman was on the phone and he believed she was on the phone with 911, but he didn't know for sure. HJR stated she had met JJS and that he, HJR and JLP went to the Deroos house for a short time as JJS had said Deroos was a friend of his. At the residence were Deroos and his girlfriend. While they were at the Deroos house playing pool, she heard the unknown female screaming from an adjoining room.
Upon hearing the screaming, JJS encouraged them all to leave. HJR said that Deroos had made threats to hurt everyone in the house and that she was afraid due to Deroos' behavior and statements. JLP stated that she went to the residence with JJS and had never met Deroos or his girlfriend before that date. While at the residence she heard Deroos' girlfriend scream that she was being "choked", but JLR did not personally observe the assault. JLR stated that when she left, Deroos and the older woman were still inside the residence.
A Mille Lacs County deputy responded to the residence and reported hearing screaming coming from inside of the residence. A short time later that Deputy reported that he observed a white male (Deroos) wearing underwear inside of the residence, but the male refused to come to the door. The male then shut off all the interior lights and pulled the blinds for the windows. Dispatch then reported they received an open line 911 call from inside of the residence. Deputy Taylor arrived on scene at 01:51 hours.
Deputy Taylor observed the Mille Lacs County deputy already on scene to be taking cover behind of a vehicle on the north side of the residence Deputy Cencer and Sergeant Wilson arrived on scene shortly after. Sgt. Wilson instructed Deputy Taylor to call the complainant, EH, and get further information regarding weapons etc. Deputy Taylor returned to his patrol vehicle and made phone contact with EH who reported that DM had called EH and sounded hystDeroosal. DM told EH that she thought she was going to die and that Deroos "choked" and "raped" her.
