Bemidji Man Charged in Strangulation Case

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — Joel Owen Mitchell, 23, faces a felony domestic assault by strangulation charge.

The charge was filed in Beltrami County District Court under case number 04-CR-26-2309.

The criminal complaint says the alleged assault happened on September 20, 2026.

911 Text Leads To Investigation

Authorities received a 911 text at about 11:08 a.m. regarding a reported domestic assault.

The complaint says the incident was reported at a residence on Alps Court NW in Bemidji.

A deputy arrived and spoke with Mitchell at the residence.

The complaint says Mitchell told the deputy that nothing was happening inside the home.

A woman identified as H.K. later came outside while holding a young child.

The deputy reported that H.K. appeared to have been crying.

The complaint also describes dried blood near her lips and fresh scratches on her neck.

H.K. told authorities that a verbal argument with Mitchell had become physical.

She alleged Mitchell struck her mouth with his head and grabbed her throat.

Mitchell was arrested following the initial investigation, according to the complaint.

H.K. then gathered belongings and planned to stay at her mother’s residence.

She later gave authorities a recorded statement about the alleged incident.

H.K. said she and Mitchell had been in a relationship for some time.

She also identified Mitchell as the father of their one-year-old child.

H.K. alleged Mitchell grabbed her throat several times and threw her onto a bed.

She claimed she briefly lost consciousness and had difficulty breathing during the alleged assault.

Authorities later transported H.K. to a hospital for an examination.

Mitchell also provided a statement after receiving a Miranda warning, the complaint says.

Mitchell said H.K. pushed him before he pushed her back.

He also described a disagreement involving a phone.

Mitchell said he restrained H.K. by holding her arms behind her back.

He said her bloody nose occurred while he was trying to restrain her.

Mitchell said the neck scratches happened while the two were pushing each other.

Mitchell is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.2247.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a $5,000 fine.

A judge could also impose both penalties following a conviction.

Readers can search case 04-CR-26-2309 through Minnesota Court Records Online.

A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish guilt.

Mitchell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.