Osage, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—Joseph Alexander Pitts, 25, of rural Osage, is facing felony stalking charges, along with two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault and one count of misdemeanor domestic abuse, following a violent incident investigated by the Becker County Sheriff’s Office.
Incident Details
- Date of Incident: December 28, 2024
- Location: Becker County, Minnesota
- Charges:
- Felony Stalking
- Two Misdemeanor Domestic Assault Charges
- One Misdemeanor Domestic Abuse Charge
- Bail: $35,000 without conditions / $25,000 with conditions
The Assault & Investigation
On December 28, 2024, a Becker County investigator conducted a welfare check on a female victim after a witness received a distressing message from her, stating: “He’s going to kill me.”
Upon arrival, the woman informed investigators that Pitts had attacked her multiple times over the previous days.
- The victim had visible black and blue marks on her face from Pitts allegedly striking her on December 27.
- She also had bruises on her shoulder, which she said were caused by Pitts throwing her against a wall on December 28.
- Despite Pitts denying the allegations, the investigator documented the visible injuries.
Although Pitts denied drinking, a preliminary breath test (PBT) revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08.
Repeated Violations & Criminal History
On December 30, a court-ordered no-contact order was issued to protect the victim. However, Pitts called her from jail three times, with one of the calls occurring just three hours after being served the order.
Court records also reveal that Pitts has a prior felony conviction for first-degree assault against a 5-month-old child, for which he previously served a prison sentence.
Bail Conditions & Legal Proceedings
- January 3, 2025: Bail was set at $35,000 with no conditions and $25,000 with conditions, which include:
- No contact with the victim
- No entry to her residence
- No consumption of alcohol or drugs
- January 16, 2025: After a hearing, the court upheld the previously set bail conditions.
What’s Next?
Pitts remains in custody, awaiting further court proceedings. If convicted of the felony stalking charge, he could face significant prison time.
This case highlights the ongoing domestic violence crisis in Becker County, prompting authorities to take stricter measures against repeat offenders.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me