Poplar River Hatchet Case Brings 4 Charges

Poplar River Township (trfnews.i234.me) — A McIntosh man faces four charges following an alleged confrontation involving a hatchet.

Jesus Octavio Peralta, 49, faces three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge in Red Lake County.

The charges include two counts of second-degree assault and one count of kidnapping.

Peralta also faces a misdemeanor domestic assault charge.

The alleged incident happened late August 6, 2026, at a Poplar River Township residence.

Man Allegedly Chased With Hatchet

D.O. called authorities around 11:36 p.m. to report a disturbance, according to the criminal complaint.

D.O. and R.P. were upstairs preparing to watch a movie when Jesus Peralta arrived.

Prosecutors say Peralta went upstairs and kicked open the bedroom door.

He allegedly retrieved a hatchet and chased D.O. from the residence.

D.O. told investigators he feared immediate bodily harm during the encounter.

Jesus Peralta allegedly returned to the bedroom after D.O. fled.

R.P. told investigators that Jesus Peralta argued with her while holding the hatchet.

She said he swung the hatchet into drywall, leaving a hole in the wall.

He also allegedly struck and damaged a book lying on the bed.

R.P. said she wanted to leave the bedroom but could not.

She alleged Jesus Peralta stood in the doorway while armed with the hatchet.

She told investigators she was terrified during the incident.

The kidnapping charge alleges she was confined without consent for the purpose of terrorizing her.

Law enforcement later located a Chevrolet Silverado at a McIntosh residence.

Officers reported seeing a hatchet inside the vehicle that matched the witness description.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence and vehicle.

Jesus Peralta was arrested without incident during the early hours of August 7.

Prosecutors say he acknowledged being at the Poplar River Township residence and handling a hatchet.

The hatchet was seized as evidence.

Each second-degree assault charge carries up to seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.

The complaint does not list a maximum sentence beside the kidnapping count.

The case is filed as Red Lake County court file 63-CR-26-123.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 609.222 for second-degree assault.

Kidnapping law appears under Minnesota Statute 609.25.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

Peralta is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.