On June 13, 2026, Saint Paul Officers responded to the 100 block of Plato, Saint Paul, County of Ramsey, on a domestic. SS reported the suspect left the scene with their child in common (six-month-old J1) in a black Hyundai Sonata. Officer McCarthy responded and observed the suspect-MAURICE JASON SMITH, [DOB REDACTED]- leaving the parking lot driving a black Hyundai Sonata. SMITH wore a white shirt as described by SS, and there was an infant carrier in the vehicle. Officer McCarthy followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at Kellogg and Wabasha.
SMITH was the driver and J1 was in the back seat. He confirmed he was in a dispute with SS at the apartments on Plato. He said all he did at the apartment was “grab” SS’s hair and push her down. He left with J1 because SS did not want to watch him. He took SS’s phone because he paid for it and it was in his name. While officers spoke with SS, Officer Wencel spoke with SMITH. SMITH said he and SS have been working on their relationship and were looking for a new apartment. They argued because the boyfriend of her child’s mother was on SS’s Facebook page.
He confronted the other male about it. SS did not like this and they started to argue. At some point, the argument became physical. They shoved each other. SS punched him in the back of the head. To stop her from hitting him, he pushed her onto the couch, held her arms down, and sat on top of her legs. At some point, she “stepped up” on him. That’s when he put his hand around her throat, but did not squeeze and used very little pressure. At some point, SS grabbed a knife and threatened to slash the tires on his vehicle.
She also made threats to take his child [NAME REDACTED]. SMITH packed up some things for the baby and left the apartment. Officer McCarthy went to SS’s location and spoke with her. SS said the argument between her and SMITH started over her being with another man. He had been looking through her phone. They argued in the bedroom when SMITH grabbed her hair and pushed her down onto the bed and held her down. She panicked because she has asthma and repeatedly told him to let her up. J1 was playing on the bed.
After holding her down for a short period, SMITH let her get up. SS started to walk away to leave the apartment and was concerned for her safety. As she approached the front door, SMITH grabbed her by the hair again and pushed her down onto the couch. He let her up again and she left through the front door and ran down the hallway. SMITH chased her. SMITH caught up to her in the hallway and pushed her up against the wall with his right hand on her throat. He placed his left hand on her throat and began to squeeze with both hands.
She was not able to breathe, gasped for air, and her vision began to “go black” in the corners of her eyes. She lost control of her bladder and urinated on herself. Eventually, he let go of her. He said, “You think I’m playing, b****.” She was afraid for her safety. She started to run away and tried to go to her friend’s apartment upstairs. SMITH caught her again at a bench in the lobby near the entrance. SMITH grabbed her throat again from behind and pushing her onto the bench, squeezing her throat.
