06/11/1982 (43), violated the law as set forth herein. On January 29, 2026, at approximately 10:12 P.M., Douglas County Dispatch received a text-to-911 message from “HG,” stating she felt unsafe. Based on prior law enforcement contacts, deputies understood HG was dating and possibly residing with the Defendant. Deputy Brody Merrill and Deputy Michael Leverington responded to the Defendant’s residence, located at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Kensington, Douglas County, Minnesota. Upon arrival, HG exited the residence in a panicked state, stating deputies needed to take her to a psychiatric ward and reporting domestic abuse.
HG walked to Deputy Leverington’s squad car to be transported to the hospital. Prior to transport, HG stated she and the Defendant had recently moved from Missouri to Minnesota in an attempt to remain sober and that she had been afraid of him since the move. When asked whether the Defendant had physically assaulted her, HG initially stated she did not want to press charges. HG reported symptoms indicative of a mental health crisis. She was transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.
While en route, HG disclosed that two nights earlier, the Defendant placed his forearm and elbow against her neck, applying pressure until she began gasping for air, and stated, “I’ll kill you, b****.” HG further reported the Defendant punched her multiple times in the head during the same incident. HG stated that earlier that day, the Defendant threw objects across the room and knocked items off shelves after she refused sexual activity, which she believed was an attempt to pressure her into having sex.
HG advised that her recollection of precise timing was unclear because they had used methamphetamine earlier in the day. She further reported that the Defendant had been physically abusive since moving to Minnesota approximately one month earlier. HG described being held down on a bed while being punched in the back of the head and stated the Defendant had visible scratch marks on his face and hands from her attempts to fight him off. At the emergency room, Deputy Leverington observed multiple injuries on HG, including a red line on the back of her neck, a bruise on the side of her face, a scratch behind her left ear, a scratch on her chest, a bruise on the inside of her left bicep, and significant bruising on her knees and hands.
HG stated the knee bruising was caused by the Defendant holding her down. She confirmed the assault occurred two nights earlier. Deputies returned to the residence to speak with the Defendant. Deputies knocked and announced their presence. The Defendant eventually came downstairs and repeatedly demanded to know where HG was, appearing frantic. When advised she was at the emergency room, the Defendant attempted to close the door and stated he needed to go to sleep. Before the door was closed, Deputy Leverington placed his foot in the doorway and advised the Defendant that he was under arrest for domestic assault.
