East Grand Forks Man Charged in Teen Choking Case

East Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — Sheldon Leonard Goddard faces a felony third-degree assault charge in Polk County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Goddard assaulted a 17-year-old Hugo’s employee during a parking lot fight on May 1, 2026.

The complaint says Goddard placed the teenager in a chokehold until he lost consciousness.

The felony charge carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Police Respond to Hugo’s Parking Lot

Police were called to the Hugo’s parking lot around 9:58 p.m.

A customer had reported that someone was being attacked outside the store.

Officers found the teenage employee with dried blood around his nose.

They also observed scratches and marks around his neck.

The teenager said Goddard had visited the store earlier with the teenager’s former girlfriend.

Near the end of his shift, the teenager went outside to collect carts.

He told investigators that Goddard approached him and took a fighting stance.

The teenager said Goddard tried to punch him, and he punched back.

The two then exchanged punches in the parking lot.

Sheldon Leonard Goddard mugshot — Sheldon Leonard Goddard

Chokehold Allegedly Causes Loss of Consciousness

The teenager said Goddard later placed him in a headlock.

He told investigators he could not breathe and eventually lost consciousness.

Witnesses also reported seeing the fight and trying to stop it.

One witness recorded portions of the confrontation on a phone.

Investigators reviewed those clips and store surveillance footage.

The complaint says video showed Goddard advancing while the teenager backed away.

The two exchanged punches before Goddard allegedly kneed the teenager in the stomach.

Goddard then placed him in a chokehold, according to prosecutors.

The complaint says the teenager’s body went limp while the hold continued.

Bystanders can be heard urging Goddard to release him, according to the complaint.

Store video also allegedly showed Goddard pushing the teenager’s face after he became unconscious.

Medical Treatment Follows

The teenager initially declined medical care but later went to an emergency room.

Medical records listed several injuries, according to the complaint.

Those included a hand contusion, facial contusion, mild closed head injury, and injury from manual strangulation.

Investigators also observed a red ring around his neck and small red spots.

Goddard later spoke with police by phone.

He denied that the confrontation was planned.

Goddard said he used the chokehold to stop the fight, according to the complaint.

Felony Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Goddard under Minnesota Statute 609.223.

The law covers assaults that inflict substantial bodily harm.

The charge carries up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both.

The case is State of Minnesota v. Sheldon Leonard Goddard.

The court file number is 60-CR-26-1166 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Goddard’s guilt.

Goddard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.