{"id":73324,"date":"2026-11-13T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=73324"},"modified":"2026-11-13T13:08:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T19:08:21","slug":"erhard-man-charged-with-2-felony-domestic-assault-counts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/erhard-man-charged-with-2-felony-domestic-assault-counts\/","title":{"rendered":"Erhard Man Charged With 2 Felony Domestic Assault Counts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erhard<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2013 An Erhard man faces two felony domestic assault charges following an alleged July 15, 2026, incident.<\/p>\n

Billy Jo Kugler, 43, is accused of assaulting a woman during a dispute at his Otter Tail County residence.<\/p>\n

According to court documents, the woman escaped and sought help from a nearby resident.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors also charged Kugler with interfering with an emergency call.<\/p>\n

Woman Seeks Help After Alleged Assault<\/h2>\n

According to the criminal complaint, authorities received a report around 3:54 p.m. on July 15.<\/p>\n

A nearby resident reported that a woman came to the home seeking help.<\/p>\n

The caller said the woman appeared injured and claimed Kugler had taken her cellphone.<\/p>\n

The woman asked the resident to contact 911 before continuing down the road.<\/p>\n

Deputies later located the woman sitting in a ditch near County Highway 24 and County Highway 3.<\/p>\n

According to investigators, she appeared to have been crying and complained about soreness in her legs.<\/p>\n

Authorities also reported seeing bruising on the front of her right upper arm.<\/p>\n

Victim Describes Alleged Attack<\/h2>\n

The woman told investigators she had an on-and-off romantic relationship with Kugler.<\/p>\n

She reported that an argument began after Kugler accused her of being involved with other people.<\/p>\n

According to the complaint, Kugler allegedly pulled the woman down by her hair.<\/p>\n

He also allegedly grabbed her arm and forced her to strike her own face.<\/p>\n

The woman reported being kicked repeatedly in the shins.<\/p>\n

Investigators observed areas where a tanning product appeared to have rubbed off her legs.<\/p>\n

The woman told authorities her legs were very sore following the alleged assault.<\/p>\n

Cellphone Allegedly Taken During Attack<\/h2>\n

The complaint states the woman attempted to use her cellphone to call for help.<\/p>\n

However, Kugler allegedly took the phone before she could place the call.<\/p>\n

The woman told authorities she believed the phone was either broken or still in Kugler’s possession.<\/p>\n

She eventually escaped and went to a nearby residence for assistance.<\/p>\n

Investigators reported that she was barefoot and carrying only her purse when they located her.<\/p>\n

Previous Domestic Violence Convictions Cited<\/h2>\n

The criminal complaint identifies two previous qualifying domestic violence-related convictions involving Kugler.<\/p>\n

Both convictions reportedly occurred in Otter Tail County during 2024.<\/p>\n

Under Minnesota Statute 609.2242<\/a>, certain repeat domestic assault offenses may be charged as felonies.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors cited those previous convictions when filing the current felony charges.<\/p>\n

Three Charges Filed in Otter Tail County<\/h2>\n

Prosecutors filed three charges against Kugler in Otter Tail County District Court.<\/p>\n