Sargent County (trfnews.i234.me) – A 44-year-old Lisbon man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly violated a domestic violence protection order by entering the victim’s workplace twice on the same day. Todd Steven Martinson was charged with felony stalking and felony violation of a domestic violence protection order. The charges were filed Friday in Sargent County District Court.
The Sargent County Sheriff’s Office responded to a truck stop in Milnor on November 19 at about 6:05 p.m. after receiving a report of a protection order violation. The victim told deputies that Martinson walked into the store, approached the area where she was working, and asked if she wanted to “go to the casino.” She reminded him he was not allowed in the store because of an active protection order. She added that this was the second time that day he had entered her workplace.
Deputies reviewed surveillance video from November 19. The footage showed Martinson walking into the store, heading directly toward the victim, pausing to look at her, and then leaving after a brief exchange. Another video from November 13 showed Martinson at the counter speaking to the victim during one of several reported visits on her first day of work.
Deputies noted the victim appeared visibly shaken, upset, and had been crying when they arrived.
According to investigators, Martinson has a documented history of violating the protection order. A Ransom County deputy reported their office received six calls between May 1 and November 4 from the victim regarding similar violations. Records show Martinson was served with a temporary protection order on May 1. A permanent order was granted on May 13.
The victim also provided two voicemails left early on November 19. The deputy said the voice on both messages sounded like Martinson requesting the victim call him back. Martinson denied making the calls and claimed someone else had done it. When deputies contacted that individual, he denied leaving the messages.
Court documents also show Martinson faces an open case involving unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence with bodily injury stemming from a July 10 incident. The victim previously told law enforcement that Martinson held her against her will and assaulted her when she tried to leave. She also reported that he told her he had access to land where he could “bury a body.”
Martinson was arrested at about 8:20 p.m. on November 19 at the Hankinson casino on an unrelated warrant. He was then taken into custody on the new stalking and protection order charges. Deputies wrote that Martinson continues to pose a threat to the victim’s safety.
Martinson made his initial appearance on Friday morning in Sargent County Court. Additional hearings are expected.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
