Prosecutors allege Goddard assaulted a 17-year-old Hugo’s employee during a parking lot fight on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
The complaint says Goddard placed the teenager in a chokehold until he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n
The felony charge carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n
Police Respond to Hugo’s Parking Lot<\/h2>\n
Police were called to the Hugo’s parking lot around 9:58 p.m.<\/p>\n
A customer had reported that someone was being attacked outside the store.<\/p>\n
Officers found the teenage employee with dried blood around his nose.<\/p>\n
They also observed scratches and marks around his neck.<\/p>\n
The teenager said Goddard had visited the store earlier with the teenager’s former girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Near the end of his shift, the teenager went outside to collect carts.<\/p>\n
He told investigators that Goddard approached him and took a fighting stance.<\/p>\n
The teenager said Goddard tried to punch him, and he punched back.<\/p>\n
The two then exchanged punches in the parking lot.<\/p>\n The teenager said Goddard later placed him in a headlock.<\/p>\n He told investigators he could not breathe and eventually lost consciousness.<\/p>\n Witnesses also reported seeing the fight and trying to stop it.<\/p>\n One witness recorded portions of the confrontation on a phone.<\/p>\n Investigators reviewed those clips and store surveillance footage.<\/p>\n The complaint says video showed Goddard advancing while the teenager backed away.<\/p>\n The two exchanged punches before Goddard allegedly kneed the teenager in the stomach.<\/p>\n Goddard then placed him in a chokehold, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n The complaint says the teenager’s body went limp while the hold continued.<\/p>\n Bystanders can be heard urging Goddard to release him, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Store video also allegedly showed Goddard pushing the teenager’s face after he became unconscious.<\/p>\n The teenager initially declined medical care but later went to an emergency room.<\/p>\n Medical records listed several injuries, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Those included a hand contusion, facial contusion, mild closed head injury, and injury from manual strangulation.<\/p>\n Investigators also observed a red ring around his neck and small red spots.<\/p>\n Goddard later spoke with police by phone.<\/p>\n He denied that the confrontation was planned.<\/p>\n Goddard said he used the chokehold to stop the fight, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Prosecutors charged Goddard under Minnesota Statute 609.223<\/a>.<\/p>\n The law covers assaults that inflict substantial bodily harm.<\/p>\n The charge carries up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The case is State of Minnesota v. Sheldon Leonard Goddard.<\/p>\n The court file number is 60-CR-26-1166 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Goddard’s guilt.<\/p>\n Goddard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Sheldon](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GODDARD-SHELDON-LEONARD.jpg\")
Chokehold Allegedly Causes Loss of Consciousness<\/h2>\n
Medical Treatment Follows<\/h2>\n
Felony Charge Filed<\/h2>\n