Crookston Man Charged in Hotel Rock Assault
Crookston (trfnews.i234.me) — Juan Carlos Alberto-Serrano faces a felony second-degree assault charge in Polk County.
Prosecutors allege he helped attack a coworker at the Crookston Inn on July 23, 2026.
Alberto-Serrano has not been convicted. The charge remains an allegation.
Assault Reported at Crookston Inn
Police were called to the Crookston Inn at about 9:30 p.m.
The criminal complaint details the response and later investigation.
Travis Bowen told officers he supervised a crew that builds grain bins.
Bowen said two workers had been fired, including Alberto-Serrano and Juan Eraso.
Wilber Cartagena had also left the crew, Bowen told police.
A crew member identified as A.M.C. was hospitalized after the reported attack.
Investigators entered Room 232 and saw what appeared to be blood in several areas.
The complaint describes apparent blood on a mattress, lamp, walls, floor, and nightstand.
Officers later found Alberto-Serrano in Room 230 and detained him.
Video and Victim Account Detailed
Investigators reviewed hotel surveillance video from earlier that evening.
The video allegedly showed Alberto-Serrano tying a white towel while walking downstairs.
He later returned upstairs with a noticeable bulge in his pocket, the complaint says.
The footage then showed Alberto-Serrano, Eraso, and Cartagena entering Room 232 together.
A.M.C. later told police that Eraso struck him once in the head with a rock.
He said Alberto-Serrano and Cartagena held his arms after he regained consciousness.
A.M.C. also alleged Alberto-Serrano brought the rock inside and gave it to Eraso.
He said the attack followed his refusal to quit the job.
Yair Willoms helped interpret when police interviewed A.M.C. at the hospital.
Willoms had also driven A.M.C. to the hospital after the reported assault.
Police documented a large gash near the front right side of A.M.C.’s head.
Rocks Found Inside Tied Towel
Investigators later entered Room 230 with permission from Eris Ledon.
Ledon pointed investigators toward a white towel tied into a knot.
The complaint says apparent blood stains were visible on the towel.
Investigators untied it and found four rocks described as roughly golf-ball sized.
Ledon and Alberto-Serrano were both staying in Room 230, according to the complaint.
Felony Charge and Sentencing Notice
Polk County prosecutors charged Alberto-Serrano with second-degree assault using a dangerous weapon.
Minnesota Statute 609.222 allows up to seven years in prison.
The statute also allows a fine of up to $14,000.
The complaint also cites Minnesota Statute 609.11.
That law includes minimum prison terms for qualifying dangerous-weapon offenses.
Prosecutors also gave notice that they may seek an aggravated sentence after a conviction.
They cite alleged participation by three people and the private setting of the hotel room.
The case is filed under court number 60-CR-26-1034.
Readers can search public records through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Alberto-Serrano is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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