Frazee, Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A 33-year-old Frazee man faces felony assault charges.
Court papers say a woman suffered a fractured cheekbone during a December fight.
Prosecutors charged Michael Allen Willette with third-degree assault and fifth-degree assault.
He is held at the Becker County Jail, according to court records.
What the complaint alleges
The case stems from an incident reported at an apartment complex on Dec. 15.
Frazee police responded after a report of a fight, court documents say.
The victim told police she drove Willette home from work after he was fired.
After they arrived, she said Willette slammed her car door shut.
She said he then kicked the door when she confronted him.
The complaint says Willette pushed the victim and a second woman to the ground.
In a hallway, he allegedly grabbed the victim’s hair and hit her face on a wall.
Prosecutors say he then punched the victim three times with a closed fist.
Injuries and video
The victim reported visible facial injuries right after the alleged assault.
On Dec. 18, she told police she had a fractured left cheekbone.
The third-degree count is tied to that reported fracture.
The complaint describes the fracture as substantial bodily harm.
Court documents say security video captured parts of the hallway incident.
The complaint says the video showed portions of the physical contact.
Willette’s statement and next steps
Willette told officers the victim got in his face after the car door incident.
He said he pushed her back to create space.
Willette also said he was hit in the head with a cup.
He said that led him to punch the victim several times.
Third-degree assault can carry up to five years in prison.
It can also carry a fine of up to $10,000.
Court records listed a first appearance date of Feb. 4.
The public court summary did not list a trial date.
Charges are allegations and do not prove guilt.
Willette is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Related resources
- Minnesota Statute 609.223: Third-degree assault
- Minnesota Statute 609.224: Fifth-degree assault
- Minnesota Court Records Online case search
- Becker County inmate information
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.