Thief River Falls: Man Faces 5 Charges After Dispute

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A North Carolina man faces five gross misdemeanor charges following an August 1 domestic dispute.

Marqus Antonio Middleton, 38, is charged with two counts of domestic assault.

He also faces interference with an emergency call, third-degree DWI, and fourth-degree assault on an officer.

Domestic Dispute Reported At Campground

Dispatch received a call shortly before 1 a.m. from Middleton’s wife, according to the criminal complaint.

She had gone to a campground near Hartz Park to check on Middleton and their dogs.

The woman said an argument began during the visit.

She alleged Middleton pushed her onto a bed and held her wrists down.

She also said he placed a knee on her chest.

The woman reported that Middleton threatened to kill her if she left.

She tried to call 911 but said Middleton took her cellphone.

She eventually pushed him away, according to the complaint.

Middleton then allegedly left with both phones and other belongings.

The woman told officers that Middleton had been drinking throughout the day.

Officers later found Middleton near the bus garage by the dam.

Middleton denied putting his hands on his wife.

He acknowledged driving away from the campground, according to prosecutors.

Officers reported smelling alcohol and seeing bloodshot, watery eyes.

Middleton refused standard field sobriety testing, according to the complaint.

Police later found the woman’s cellphone in a nearby dumpster.

She identified the recovered phone as hers.

At the Pennington County Jail, Middleton allegedly made statements indicating he had been drinking.

Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood or urine sample.

Prosecutors say Middleton became aggressive while the warrant was being explained.

He allegedly slapped an officer’s hand and was then restrained.

The DWI count alleges refusal to submit to chemical testing.

Each filed charge carries up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

The domestic assault charges cite a prior qualifying domestic violence-related conviction.

The case is filed as Pennington County court file 57-CR-26-557.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 609.2242 regarding domestic assault.

DWI laws are available under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.

Additional court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

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

Middleton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.