Polk County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – Crookston, Polk County — A man faces three charges after an alleged domestic assault, according to a court complaint.
Prosecutors charged Edward Reggie Winchester, 40 at the time, with felony domestic assault by strangulation. He also faces gross misdemeanor, malicious punishment of a child, and misdemeanor domestic assault.
Officers were sent to a Crookston home around 10:15 p.m. for a domestic call. They spoke with family members and a juvenile identified as A.T.W., records state.
The complaint says the juvenile had redness on the neck, chest, face, and arms. Photos were taken, according to the report.
The juvenile told officers their “daddy choked her” for a few seconds, the complaint says. She reported she could not breathe and then fell to the ground.
She also alleged open-hand slaps to the face before and after the choking. A sibling said the man grabbed the juvenile by the collar and held her down, records state.
The child’s mother told officers she tried to pull the man away during the incident. She described both as acting “excessively,” according to the complaint.
Investigators say the incident began after a dispute over social media images. The child had been ordered to hold a water jug as punishment, the complaint alleges.
Police later located the man and arrested him. No officer names are listed here at the request of our editorial policy.
The felony count alleges strangulation of a family or household member under Minn. Stat. 609.2247. The child charge cites Minn. Stat. 609.377. The misdemeanor assault cites Minn. Stat. 609.2242.
Maximum penalties include up to three years and a $5,000 fine for the felony. The gross misdemeanor allows up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. The misdemeanor allows up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The complaint notes prior felony convictions from Michigan. It also gives notice that prosecutors may seek an aggravated sentence. The claimed basis is that the offense was committed in a child’s presence.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case was filed in Polk County District Court and remains part of the public record.
If you or someone you know needs help, see Minnesota resources for victims. Visit the state victim services page for support and safety planning.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
