On or about January 15, 2026, Otter Tail County dispatch received multiple calls involving CHARLES JOHN REVERING, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant. At approximately 2018 hours, the Fergus Falls Police department responded by telephone upon complaint from the defendant’s wife about the defendant removing her tire off her vehicle. Dispatch received information that the defendant had been drinking. Based on prior experiences with the defendant, officers were concerned their presence would escalate the defendant for a matter that may not be criminal.
The defendant’s wife indicated she would ask a family member assist with the tire. At approximately 2049 hours, the defendant called dispatch asking to have his mother-in-law removed from the property. Officers responded to the defendant’s residence, located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. As an officer spoke with the defendant, it was noted the defendant had red/bloodshot eyes and there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. At one point, the defendant stumbled on the deck and began falling off; the officer reached out to grab his arm and steady him to prevent him from falling over.
The defendant was upset with the officer’s assistance. Officers encouraged the wife to leave for the evening with the children. The wife asked the defendant if he planned to go to bed. The defendant said that he was going to go to the basement to finish cleaning his rifle and pistol, and he would go wherever he wanted inside the house. Officers offered to remain on scene for the wife to leave; she ultimately decided to remain at the house. At approximately 2131 hours, the wife called dispatch indicating she had changed her mind and would like law enforcement’s assistance to leave for the night.
Officers returned to the residence. While the wife was gathering things to leave, the defendant came upstairs from the basement in the area that was the primary residence door. The defendant was upset that his wife was leaving and that his mother-in-law had returned to their home. At one point, the mother-in-law attempted to leave and the defendant stepped in front of the door, using his body to barricade it and indicate he was not going to let them leave. An officer instructed the defendant to move away from the door.
The defendant stated his wife could not leave with the children. The defendant said if they left, he would go to his mother-in-law’s residence. As the officer was explaining that the wife would be leaving with the children and he was not welcome at his mother-in-law’s home, the defendant loudly declared, “I’m going to get my rifle.” The defendant turned from his position facing the officer on the landing by the door and started moving down the stairs. Officers then arrested the defendant. During the transport to jail, the defendant asked why he was arrested.
