A Duluth man entered an occupied apartment without permission and attacked a resident with a metal shovel before threatening another person and damaging property, according to charges.
Nathan George Keuten, 36, faces four felony charges: two counts of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and threats of violence.
According to the complaint, officers responded to a burglary call at a Duluth apartment at about 1:12 a.m. on September 21. Police spoke with two residents, who said they had locked the front door before going to sleep. One resident reported waking up in the living room to find Keuten and a woman inside the apartment without their consent. The second resident had been sleeping in a rear bedroom.
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The first resident told officers that Keuten threatened to “kick his a**,” threatened to break his arm and then grabbed a metal shovel from the wall. Keuten advanced toward the first resident, swinging the shovel and striking a shelf, causing damage and knocking items down. He then hit the first resident in the right leg with the shovel, leaving a red mark and causing the resident to limp. The first resident said he feared for his life during the encounter.
After being told to leave, Keuten exited the apartment and began hitting the front door with the shovel, leaving visible dents. Officers found a metal shovel outside the apartment, believed to be the one used in the assault.
Officers then went to Keuten’s residence to continue the investigation. Through a window, they saw Keuten grabbing the woman who had entered the apartment with him and throwing her to the ground while making verbal threats. Officers also heard threats to destroy property inside the home. Because they witnessed an assault, officers entered and arrested Keuten.
The woman told officers that Keuten had strangled her earlier that day, putting his hand on her throat and pushing her to the ground. She described pain, and officers noted her voice was raspy and her neck showed red marks consistent with being grabbed.
The complaint states that Keuten has prior felony convictions for violating an order for protection and for fourth-degree assault, both in February 2025. The woman reported that Keuten had been assaulting her daily and that she was afraid of him because of his recent methamphetamine use and ongoing threats.
The charges were filed Wednesday, September 23, in Saint Louis County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
Duluth Woman Charged in Break-In That Injured 2 • Duluth Man Charged After Gun Threat and Assault Downtown • Duluth Man Charged After Bystander Assault, Death Threats
Jurisdictional Context
Saint Louis County is Minnesota’s largest county by area, stretching from Duluth to the Canadian border. The Saint Louis County Attorney’s Office prosecutes felonies through the Sixth Judicial District; cases are heard at the Saint Louis County Courthouse in Duluth and at courthouses in Virginia and Hibbing on the Iron Range.
