Thief River Falls: Assault Arrest at Casino Hotel

Thief River Falls, Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) A Thief River Falls man is accused of attacking his girlfriend inside a casino hotel room.

Court papers name the suspect as Chad Michael Nelson, 45, of Thief River Falls.

He is charged with obstructing a peace officer.

He also faces two counts of domestic assault.

What was reported

The report came in on January 25 at Seven Clans Casino, Hotel, and Water Park.

The location is in Thief River Falls.

The sheriff’s office investigated the call.

Officials said Nelson had been drinking and became aggressive.

Inside the hotel room

The complaint says the couple went to their room.

Two children were in the room.

His girlfriend’s son was also there.

Investigators say Nelson reached over a child on the bed.

They say he grabbed his girlfriend.

They say he hit her in the face.

The complaint says the son came out of the bathroom.

He asked what happened to his mother.

Investigators say Nelson then lunged toward the son.

They say the woman stepped between them.

Investigators say Nelson bit the woman.

They say she used her thumb to open his mouth.

They say she then got away and called law enforcement.

The complaint reports bite marks on her cheek and thumb.

It also reports a carpet burn on one knee.

Alleged assault on the son

After the woman left, investigators say Nelson grabbed the son.

They say he put him in a headlock.

They say Nelson pushed him down.

Arrest in the parking lot

A deputy later found Nelson in the parking lot.

The complaint says Nelson did not follow orders.

It says a deputy chased him while using a flashlight.

Another squad car pulled in front of him.

That is when deputies stopped him.

Nelson told deputies the couple argued at the casino.

He said she thought he was flirting with other women.

He denied biting her, according to the complaint.

He also blamed the son and mentioned tax season.

Court records and help resources

Readers can follow public court case updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.

That service is run by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

For more on the casino property, see the Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls page.

For local public safety information, see the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office website.

If you need help with domestic violence, Minnesota Day One offers free support.

• Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) case search
• Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls
• Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
• Minnesota Day One crisis help

Editor’s note: Court papers also list prior convictions and case outcomes for Nelson.

Those entries include a January 2025 stay of adjudication on a protection order case.

They also include firearm and assault convictions from 2016, 2020, and 2023.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.