Naytahwaush Man Faces Felony Domestic Assault Charge
Naytahwaush (trfnews.i234.me) — A Naytahwaush man faces a felony domestic assault charge following a June incident.
Joshua Dean Bellanger, 20, is charged in Mahnomen County District Court.
The case is filed under court number 44-CR-26-519.
Prosecutors allege Bellanger assaulted a household member on or about June 15, 2026.
The charge also alleges qualifying prior domestic violence-related offenses within the previous ten years.
Woman Reports Being Pushed
According to the criminal complaint, authorities responded to a Naytahwaush residence on June 16.
The woman had already left the home with her brother before authorities arrived.
Investigators later met with the woman at another location.
The complaint says she was crying and appeared upset during the interview.
She told authorities she and Bellanger had been drinking before an argument began.
The woman said she saw a message from another woman on Bellanger’s phone.
She then told Bellanger she wanted to leave the residence, according to the complaint.
The woman alleged Bellanger pushed her to the ground and repeatedly prevented her from leaving.
She also alleged Bellanger grabbed her face and pushed her down.
The complaint says another person inside the residence told Bellanger to stop and let her leave.
Brother Reports Seeing Alleged Push
The woman called her brothers and asked them to pick her up.
Her brother, Joseph Bush IV, arrived while the dispute was still unfolding.
The complaint says Bush witnessed Bellanger allegedly push the woman to the ground outside.
The woman acknowledged striking Bellanger during the incident.
She told investigators she did so while trying to leave.
Bellanger later denied preventing the woman from leaving, according to the complaint.
He told authorities the woman had placed her hands on him.
Felony Charge Filed
Bellanger is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.2242.
The complaint lists the offense as felony domestic assault.
The maximum penalty is five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The complaint lists previous cases involving a restraining order violation, threats of violence, and fifth-degree assault.
Prosecutors cite those cases as qualifying prior offenses for the felony charge.
The current case was filed by summons in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
More information about Minnesota courts is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish guilt.
Bellanger is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
