Notice: Pursuant to Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure 7.02, the prosecution provides notice that, at trial, the State will offer evidence of the following offenses, in addition to the offense herein charged, for the purpose of proving the motive, intent, preparation, plan, and identity of the perpetrator. ••-CR-••-•••• On 4/10/2024 GARDNER was arrested after choking a female victim with both hands for 2-3 minutes, threatening to kill her, and cutting her wrist with a knife. GARDNER was convicted of 2nd Degree Assault.
Current Offense: On 05/27/2026, at about 0150 hours, St. Paul Police responded to [ADDRESS REDACTED] N in St. Paul, Ramsey County for an assault. Police arrived and spoke to the caller, LBS, who had a small bruise on the left side of her neck and reddening skin near the back right side of her neck. LBS said Tony GARDNER ([DOB REDACTED]) choked and assaulted her. She said she met GARDNER about two weeks earlier at a liquor store. Earlier this evening GARDNER invited her to his apartment and, at about 0000 hours, GARDNER became aggressive and would not let her leave.
She said GARDNER pointed a black firearm at her temple and then strangled her with both hands. LBS said the choking lasted for about 15 minutes and she could not breathe. When LBS was able to leave the apartment, she went downstairs, but GARDNER followed her. When she got outside, GARDNER choked her again with both hands and she could not breathe. When GARDNER said he was going back to his apartment to get his gun, LBS ran and called 911. Officers went to GARDNER's apartment (#205) and heard a male and female inside.
They knocked on the door and the female, identified as MTD, answered the door wearing only a towel. MTD said she was not present when the incident with LBS occurred. MTD summoned GARDNER who exited the apartment and was arrested. After being Mirandized, GARDNER said he did not know LBS’ name but the altercation started because LBS was intoxicated and refused to leave. GARDNER admitted pushing LBS out of the apartment but denied that there was firearm involved and denied threatening her. GARDNER said that after LBS left, his "wife," "Mo," came to the apartment.
Pursuant to a search warrant, police searched the apartment but did not locate a firearm. During a follow-up phone interview, LBS told police she felt pain in her head, a sore throat and had a hoarse voice after the strangulation. She also said GARDNER told her "I will kill you" while he strangled her. GARDNER has a previous QDVRO within the last three years; 2nd Degree Assault (••-CR-••-••••) (sentenced 11/01/2024). For purposes of Rule 6.02, GARDNER is on probation.
