On April 13, 2026, at approximately 9:23 P.M., police responded to an apartment located at 2XX Seventh Street West, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. The complainant, RLT, reported that his wife just cut him with a knife then left. Upon arrival, police were approached by RLT, who had a bleeding laceration on his left hand. RLT told police that he was cut with a knife by his wife, later fully identified as DEANNA MARIA PUGH – [DOB redacted]. RLT said he and PUGH had been in a relationship for five years, have been married for seven months, and are both on the lease at the apartment.
Earlier that day, RLT said he was at work when PUGH called him and confronted him about an unopened condom wrapper that she found in the bed. PUGH accused RLT of infidelity, which RLT denied. RLT said PUGH told him she would be filing for a divorce, which he was content with and told PUGH that he was the best thing to ever happen to her. When he came home around 6:00 P.M., RLT said PUGH and her fifteen-year-old daughter, DAR, were at the apartment. RLT stated that he and PUGH continued arguing, and that PUGH was consuming alcohol.
RLT reported that he told PUGH that he was in favor of getting a divorce, and he would gather his belongings and leave the apartment. When he went into the closet to get his clothing, RLT said PUGH and DAR followed him and continued the argument. RLT said PUGH punched him four times in his face then DAR held PUGH back to separate her from RLT. RLT reported that PUGH went to the kitchen, and when he entered the kitchen, PUGH had a knife in her hand. RLT said PUGH threatened him with the knife and told him, “I’m going to kill you.
I caught you slipping.” RLT reported that PUGH poked his left collarbone with the knife. When PUGH tried to stab him again, RLT said he used his left hand to defend himself, which is how he got cut with the knife. At that point, RLT said PUGH and DAR left the apartment. Police observed a laceration on RLT’s left hand and a small cut on RLT’s collarbone. Police recovered the knife used in the incident, which appeared to have a bloodstain on the handle. Police spoke with PUGH by phone. PUGH told police that RLT was cheating on him.
When asked why RLT’s hand was bleeding, PUGH responded that she was defending herself because RLT would not let her leave. When asked why she did not call for help, PUGH said she had to transport her child to another location. PUGH also told police that she was abused by RLT in December but did not report it. PUGH maintained that she only used the knife in self-defense. PUGH was advised that a pick up and hold would be issued for her arrest and to surrender herself to authorities. An hour later, RLT called dispatch because PUGH came back to the apartment.
Police returned and took PUGH into custody. When asked if she had any injuries that needed to be documented, PUGH responded that she may have a mark on top of her head because RLT pushed DAR into her. Police took photographs of PUGH but did not observe any injuries. DAR told police that PUGH found a condom in their bed, and she argued with RLT about it. DAR said PUGH had a knife in her hand for hours because RLT assaulted PUGH in the past. DAR reported that RLT tried to grab the knife from PUGH, but he grabbed the blade instead and cut his hand.
