Cass Lake Man Faces Felony Strangulation Charge

Cass Lake (trfnews.i234.me) — Charles Dean Croaker faces two domestic assault charges following an alleged July 16 attack.

The charges include felony domestic assault by strangulation.

Croaker also faces a gross misdemeanor domestic assault charge based on a prior conviction.

The case was filed in Cass County District Court.

Woman Reports Alleged Strangulation

According to the complaint, a woman approached law enforcement around 7 a.m. on July 16, 2026.

She reported that Croaker had assaulted and strangled her at a Cass Lake residence.

The woman told investigators she had recently been in a relationship with Croaker.

She said an argument began after Croaker started looking through her phone.

The woman then tried to call her sister for a ride.

Prosecutors allege Croaker began choking her during the argument.

The complaint says Croaker pushed her onto a bed.

He allegedly placed both hands around her neck while holding her down.

The woman said she felt close to losing consciousness.

She also reported pain and fear that she would black out.

The complaint says Croaker eventually stopped and ordered the woman from the home.

He allegedly pushed her outside and threw her belongings from the residence.

Investigators reported seeing fresh bruising on her shoulder and neck.

The complaint says those injuries appeared consistent with her account of being choked.

The woman also reported scraping her arm after being pushed to the ground.

Law enforcement later accompanied her back to the residence.

She gathered her belongings before receiving transportation away from the area.

Officers did not make contact with Croaker at that time.

Prosecutors also cited a previous domestic assault conviction involving Croaker.

The complaint says he was convicted in Cass County on July 12, 2021.

That conviction is listed under court file 11-CR-20-1937.

Prosecutors say the prior case supports the new gross misdemeanor domestic assault charge.

The felony strangulation charge carries up to three years in prison.

It also carries a possible fine of up to $5,000.

The gross misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail.

It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The domestic assault statute is available under Minnesota Statute 609.2242.

The case is filed as 11-CR-26-1174 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Public court records are available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

Croaker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.