CASS LAKE, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Curtis Kent Brown Jr., 37, faces three felony assault charges following an alleged hammer attack on a relative.
The September 27, 2026, incident occurred at a residence near Cass Lake in Beltrami County.
According to a criminal complaint, Brown allegedly struck his nephew in the back of the head with a hammer.
The injured man suffered a bleeding head wound and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Fight at Cass Lake Residence Leads to Assault Allegations
Authorities received a report of an assault involving a hammer around 1:40 a.m. on September 27.
Deputies and Leech Lake Tribal Police responded to a residence on Plantation Road Southeast.
Before arriving, officers learned the injured man had left the property and was waiting near a nearby intersection.
Officers found blood on the man’s shirt, neck, and the back of his head.
The man told investigators that Brown, his uncle, had been fighting another man inside a camper.
He said he attempted to stop the fight by pulling Brown away from the other man.
According to the complaint, an argument followed, and Brown reportedly told him to leave the camper.
The man returned to retrieve his phone and vape, leading to another confrontation.
Victim Claims Brown Swung Hammer at His Head
The complaint states that Brown was holding a golf club during part of the argument.
The injured man said he grabbed the club and threw it away.
He admitted spitting in Brown’s face and pushing him during the confrontation.
According to his statement, Brown then threatened him and swung a hammer toward his head.
The man reportedly ducked but was struck on the back of his head.
He fled to another relative’s home and contacted emergency services.
Emergency responders treated him before transporting him to Sanford’s emergency department.
Investigators later documented a head wound measuring approximately half an inch, along with swelling.
Witness Reports Seeing Hammer During Fight
One witness told investigators she saw Brown and the injured man pushing each other.
She also reported seeing Brown holding a hammer.
After briefly turning away, she saw the injured man holding his head.
The witness said she took the hammer from Brown and threw it near the residence.
However, investigators were unable to locate the hammer during a later search.
Another family member reported being struck near her upper lip during the confrontation.
She told investigators the contact may have been accidental and could not identify who struck her.
Officers searched the property but did not find Brown. Later attempts to contact him were also unsuccessful.
Three Felony Assault Charges Filed
Brown faces three felony counts in Beltrami County District Court.
Count One: Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon causing substantial bodily harm.
Under Minnesota Statute 609.222, the charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison or a $20,000 fine, or both.
Count Two: Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying up to seven years in prison or a $14,000 fine, or both.
Count Three: Third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.
Under Minnesota Statute 609.223, the maximum is five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both.
The complaint also references Minnesota Statute 609.11, which addresses mandatory minimum sentences in qualifying dangerous weapon cases.
Actual sentencing would depend on any convictions and applicable sentencing rules.
Beltrami County Court Case Information
The charges were filed September 29, 2026, under court file number 04-CR-26-2400.
The criminal complaint is marked as a warrant case.
However, the supplied document does not confirm Brown’s current custody status or provide a future hearing date.
Readers can search Minnesota Court Records Online using the case number.
Additional reporting is available through MN CRIME’s coverage.
The charges remain allegations. Brown is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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