Crookston Man Charged After Alleged Violent Threats

CROOKSTON (trfnews.i234.me) — A Crookston man faces a felony charge following reported threats against another apartment resident.

Cody Dale McLaughlin is charged with one count of a threat of violence.

The case was filed in Polk County District Court. The court file number is 60-CR-26-790.

The alleged offense happened on May 29, 2026, in Crookston.

Threats Reported at Apartment Complex

Police responded to Oak Court Apartments after receiving a report from the apartment manager.

The manager said a tenant reported threats involving McLaughlin and a female resident.

According to the complaint, the woman’s boyfriend received a telephone call earlier that day.

McLaughlin allegedly made threats of sexual violence and severe physical harm during that call.

The complaint states there was no earlier conversation between the people involved.

Later that day, the woman and her boyfriend were walking near the apartment complex.

They passed beneath a bridge where McLaughlin and several other people were sitting.

McLaughlin allegedly looked at the woman and repeated several violent threats.

The woman told police she feared McLaughlin could harm her.

Both residents lived at the same apartment complex, according to the complaint.

She said she was afraid to take her dog outside because of the alleged threats.

Police later contacted McLaughlin by telephone and asked about the reported incident.

McLaughlin said he had been heavily intoxicated, according to the court filing.

He also said he could not remember some events from that day.

Threats of violence are a felony under Minnesota Statute 609.713.

A conviction may carry five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

The complaint also lists several earlier Minnesota convictions involving alcohol, assault, and fighting offenses.

Those earlier cases do not prove guilt in the current case.

A criminal complaint contains allegations. McLaughlin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.