Moorhead Man Faces 2 Felonies in Strangulation Case

Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — Scott Kenneth White faces two felony domestic assault charges in Clay County District Court.

Prosecutors allege White strangled and punched his partner during a July 2, 2026, dispute in Moorhead.

White is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation.

He also faces felony domestic assault based on two prior qualifying convictions.

Different Accounts Given to Police

White initially contacted police and reported that he had been assaulted earlier that day.

He said he and his partner, identified as T.D., had argued in Moorhead.

White told investigators that T.D. kicked him in the stomach and grabbed his neck.

He said he punched T.D. in the jaw while trying to get away.

Investigators reported seeing scratches on both sides of White’s neck.

Authorities then spoke with T.D. at the couple’s Moorhead residence.

The complaint says T.D.’s jaw appeared swollen.

T.D. gave investigators a different account of the confrontation.

T.D. said White took a phone while preparing to leave the residence.

T.D. then took White’s backpack, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors allege White then grabbed T.D. by the neck.

He allegedly forced T.D. onto a nearby bed while applying pressure to the neck.

T.D. said the pressure continued for about 45 seconds to one minute.

The complaint says T.D. could not speak or yell during the alleged strangulation.

T.D. also reported becoming dizzy and fearing a loss of consciousness.

T.D. said scratching White’s neck caused him to release his grip.

White then allegedly punched T.D. in the jaw.

T.D.’s sister was inside the residence during the incident.

She told investigators she heard yelling coming from a bedroom.

The sister then entered and saw T.D. crying, according to the complaint.

T.D. told her that White had punched them in the face.

The sister confronted White and told him to leave.

The strangulation charge is filed under Minnesota Statute 609.2247.

That felony carries up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Prosecutors cite two prior North Dakota domestic violence-related convictions from 2016 and 2017.

The repeat domestic assault charge carries up to five years and a $10,000 fine.

The court file number is 14-CR-26-2537.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The complaint contains allegations and does not establish White’s guilt.

White is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.