On March 20, 2026, at 4:28 P.M., Deputy Moore with the Washington County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a phone call report of a domestic assault that had occurred fifteen minutes prior. Deputy Moore spoke to S. O., who stated that she was out for a run near her home in Lake Elmo, Washington County, when she saw her husband, JASON LEE SPORTEL, [DOB REDACTED], driving in his van. S. O. Waved at SPORTEL, who stopped to speak with her for a minute. S. O. Then continued her run, proceeding through the crosswalk.
SPORTEL turned into the intersection and swerved his van directly at S. O., who had to move out of the crosswalk to avoid being hit. S. O. Described being afraid of SPORTEL and stated that she believed he was intentionally trying to hurt her when he drove the van at her. S. O. Observed SPORTEL laughing as he drove away. S. O. Explained that SPORTEL has a history of being physically abusive towards her, such as holding her down, sitting on her, and grabbing her arms hard enough to leave bruises. S. O. Also described an incident on July 9, 2023, in which SPORTEL put his hands around her neck and started shaking her.
S. O. Also expressed concerns that SPORTEL is physically abusive to their three children, stating that they often have bruises and are upset after spending time alone with SPORTEL. Deputies arrived at S. O. And SPORTEL'S home and placed SPORTEL under arrest. During a post- Miranda statement, SPORTEL admitted that while turning through the intersection, he got closer to S. O. Than he should have. SPORTEL was transported to the Washington County Jail where he remains in custody.