Bemidji: Felony Strangulation Charge After 911 Call

Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces three charges after a reported domestic incident.

Charges filed

Silas Xavier Botello, 22, is charged in Beltrami County District Court.

The felony count alleges domestic assault by strangulation.

A second count alleges he interfered with a 911 call.

That count is a gross misdemeanor.

A third count alleges misdemeanor domestic assault by fear.

What police allege

The complaint says officers were called at 10:14 PM on Feb 28, 2026.

The report came from an apartment area on 30th Street NW in Bemidji.

A woman identified as M.D. spoke with police.

M.D. told police that Botello is her boyfriend.

She said he became upset after seeing a mark on her neck.

She said he thought it came from another man.

M.D. said Botello held her down.

She said he restricted her breathing.

Police describe that allegation as strangulation.

M.D. also said she tried to call 911 for help.

She said Botello stopped the emergency call.

The complaint notes a bruise near her shoulder.

It also notes a scratch in the same area.

Botello’s statement to the police

Police located Botello on March 1, 2026, the complaint says.

He told officers he pulled her shirt to see the mark.

He denied strangling M.D., according to the complaint.

Possible penalties and case info

Court records list the case number as 04-CR-26-541.

• The felony strangulation count carries up to three years in prison.
• It also carries a possible $5,000 fine.
• The 911 interference count carries up to 364 days in jail.
• It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.
• The misdemeanor assault count carries up to 90 days in jail.
• It also carries a possible $1,000 fine.

Charges in a complaint are allegations.

Botello is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Statutes and resources

You can read the cited laws on the Minnesota Revisor site.

Minnesota Statute 609.2247 covers strangulation.
Minnesota Statute 609.78 covers 911 interference.
Minnesota Statute 609.2242 covers domestic assault.

You can also search Minnesota court records at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us.

If you need help, support is available.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is at thehotline.org.

Minnesota Day One Services is at dayoneservices.org.

In an emergency, call 911 right away.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.