BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Cass Lake man faces a gross misdemeanor harassment charge following an alleged assault and threatening text messages.
Investigators say the victim reported being struck in the head before receiving repeated messages threatening further violence.
James Kevin Leecy, 20, of Cass Lake, is charged with harassment involving reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm.
Police Investigate Reported Assault
According to the criminal complaint, Bemidji police interviewed a man around 3:30 a.m. on May 7, 2026.
The man reported an alleged assault that occurred between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on May 6.
The confrontation reportedly happened along Birchmont Drive in Beltrami County.
The complainant told investigators that Leecy struck him in the head because he was being loud.
According to court documents, the man managed to run away following the confrontation.
Leecy reportedly left the area in a pickup truck.
Victim Reports Head and Facial Injuries
The complainant told police that his head and cheeks hurt following the alleged assault.
Investigators also received a video showing the man’s face.
According to the complaint, the recording showed redness and apparent injuries to his lips, nose, and cheeks.
The man explained that he and Leecy attended the same class.
He reportedly feared attending class the following day because of the confrontation.
Threatening Messages Allegedly Sent After Assault
According to investigators, Leecy allegedly began sending threatening messages following the reported assault.
Police reviewed messages provided by the complainant.
Several messages reportedly challenged the man to another confrontation during their next training session.
One message allegedly stated, “Just you watch Il knock you out.”
Another reportedly threatened to hurt him again.
Investigators documented additional messages that allegedly encouraged the complainant to fight Leecy.
The repeated messages reportedly increased the man’s fear about attending training.
Additional Messages Reported
On May 7, the complainant contacted police again concerning additional communications.
He told investigators that he had requested the return of belongings left inside the pickup.
According to court documents, Leecy responded with another message referencing the complainant’s attendance at training.
Investigators included the communications in their report supporting the harassment charge.
Gross Misdemeanor Harassment Charge Filed
Leecy faces one gross misdemeanor charge under Minnesota Statute 609.749, subdivision 2(b)(1).
The charge alleges conduct intended to intimidate or harass another person, causing reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm.
A conviction could carry a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Although the complaint describes an alleged physical assault, the filing lists only one harassment charge.
The complaint also references a previous DWI conviction in Cass County.
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2482.
The charge remains an allegation. Leecy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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