On January 30, 2026, at approximately 4:38 A.M., Cold Spring/Richmond Police Officer Brodey Sweeter was dispatched to a residence located on 5th Ave. N, in the city of Cold Spring, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, in response to a hang-up 911 call. When Officer Sweeter arrived, he learned that C. L. L. [DOB REDACTED] was visiting CARL EDWARD NIEMAN [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein. During their time together, an altercation began wherein the Defendant tackled and pushed C. L. L. Causing him to fall backwards and hit his head.
C. L. L. Hit his back on either the wall or the ground causing significant pain. C. L. L. Told the Defendant he was "not good" and could not move. C. L. L. Was transported to Saint Cloud Hospital via ambulance. A medical examination on C. L. L.'s injuries revealed that he had broken his back with a burst fracture of his T12 vertebrae. On January 30, 2026, C. L. L. Underwent spinal surgery to repair the damage where rods were implanted. Additionally, the injury would require further surgery within 5-10 years and C. L. L. Would have been paralyzed had the surgery not occurred.
The surgery caused a large scar on C. L. L's spine. Doctor John M Leschke, who performed the operation, advised that C. L. L. Had no prior injuries that would have caused the burst fracture, that it was recent, C. L. L. Had normal bones, and that a shove could have been the cause of the injuries. Officer Sweeter spoke to the Defendant after learning of C. L. L.'s injuries. The Defendant admitted to pushing C. L. L. And hanging up the 911 emergency call during the altercation. Complainant has reason to believe and does believe that the above information is true and correct.
The above facts constitute your complainant's basis for believing that the above named defendant, on or about the 30th day of January, 2026, in the City of Cold Spring, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, committed the offense described herein.
