Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) A Thief River Falls man is facing two criminal charges after a reported domestic incident on March 11, 2026, in Pennington County.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota District Court, Jose Maximo Martinez is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation and gross misdemeanor domestic assault. The complaint says the second charge is tied to a prior domestic assault conviction from 2021.
The felony count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The gross misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
What the Complaint Says
The complaint says Martinez went to a residence in Thief River Falls to drop off the children. His ex-girlfriend told authorities that he grabbed her by the throat, pushed her to the ground, and slapped her during the encounter.
She also told authorities that items were damaged in the bathroom and kitchen. According to the complaint, she began recording audio on her phone before Martinez entered the apartment.
The complaint says she told investigators that she had trouble breathing when he grabbed her by the throat. She said he later grabbed her by the throat again. Investigators also reported signs of damage inside the apartment.
According to the filing, officers observed broken items on the floor. They also reported redness on the woman’s neck and a scrape on her arm. The complaint says photos of the injuries were taken and audio was collected.
What Martinez Told Investigators
According to the complaint, Martinez later agreed to speak with investigators at his workplace. He said the pair had argued about child care the night before.
The complaint says Martinez told investigators that the woman hit him and broke his glasses. He said he pushed her and that she stumbled. He denied throwing her to the ground.
Authorities then arrested Martinez for domestic assault. The charges were later filed in Pennington County.
Case Status
A criminal complaint contains allegations. It is not a conviction. Martinez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Readers can review public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online. The cited statutes are Minn. Stat. 609.2247 and Minn. Stat. 609.2242.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.