Erhard (trfnews.i234.me) – An Erhard man faces two felony domestic assault charges following an alleged July 15, 2026, incident.
Billy Jo Kugler, 43, is accused of assaulting a woman during a dispute at his Otter Tail County residence.
According to court documents, the woman escaped and sought help from a nearby resident.
Prosecutors also charged Kugler with interfering with an emergency call.
Woman Seeks Help After Alleged Assault
According to the criminal complaint, authorities received a report around 3:54 p.m. on July 15.
A nearby resident reported that a woman came to the home seeking help.
The caller said the woman appeared injured and claimed Kugler had taken her cellphone.
The woman asked the resident to contact 911 before continuing down the road.
Deputies later located the woman sitting in a ditch near County Highway 24 and County Highway 3.
According to investigators, she appeared to have been crying and complained about soreness in her legs.
Authorities also reported seeing bruising on the front of her right upper arm.
Victim Describes Alleged Attack
The woman told investigators she had an on-and-off romantic relationship with Kugler.
She reported that an argument began after Kugler accused her of being involved with other people.
According to the complaint, Kugler allegedly pulled the woman down by her hair.
He also allegedly grabbed her arm and forced her to strike her own face.
The woman reported being kicked repeatedly in the shins.
Investigators observed areas where a tanning product appeared to have rubbed off her legs.
The woman told authorities her legs were very sore following the alleged assault.
Cellphone Allegedly Taken During Attack
The complaint states the woman attempted to use her cellphone to call for help.
However, Kugler allegedly took the phone before she could place the call.
The woman told authorities she believed the phone was either broken or still in Kugler’s possession.
She eventually escaped and went to a nearby residence for assistance.
Investigators reported that she was barefoot and carrying only her purse when they located her.
Previous Domestic Violence Convictions Cited
The criminal complaint identifies two previous qualifying domestic violence-related convictions involving Kugler.
Both convictions reportedly occurred in Otter Tail County during 2024.
Under Minnesota Statute 609.2242, certain repeat domestic assault offenses may be charged as felonies.
Prosecutors cited those previous convictions when filing the current felony charges.
Three Charges Filed in Otter Tail County
Prosecutors filed three charges against Kugler in Otter Tail County District Court.
- Count 1: Felony domestic assault involving fear of immediate bodily harm or death.
- Count 2: Felony domestic assault involving intentional or attempted bodily harm.
- Count 3: Gross misdemeanor interference with an emergency telephone call.
Each felony domestic assault count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The emergency-call interference charge carries up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Minnesota’s emergency communications law prohibits intentionally preventing someone from placing an emergency call.
Case Moves Through District Court
The case is filed under number 56-CR-26-2376 in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
The supplied criminal complaint includes a summons.
The document does not establish a final verdict, plea agreement, or sentence.
Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Kugler is presumed innocent of the current charges unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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