57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Pennington 9th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. 18-400-47
Court File No. 57-CR-18-516

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Summons
vs.
JOSHUA MARK HAGEN    DOB: 02/07/1980
308 State Ave S
Thief River Fal, MN 56701
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Assault in Fifth Degree
Minnesota Statute: 609.224.1(2)
Maximum Sentence: 0-90 days imprisonment and/or 0-$1000 fine
Offense Level: Misdemeanor
Offense Date (on or about): 07/10/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18002197
Charge Description: It is alleged that on or about July 10, 2018 in the City of Thief River Falls, Pennington
County, MN that Joshua Mark Hagen did willfully and intentionally inflict bodily harm upon another, to wit:
he repeatedly struck Jerald Brown in the face while Brown was on the ground.

1
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

 
I am a licensed peace officer with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department and, as such, I have learned
the following facts:

On July 10, 2018 officers received a call from Brian Holmer who is the Mayor of the City of Thief River
Falls, Pennington County, MN.  Mr. Holmer reported to law enforcement that a physical altercation had
occurred between two Thief River Falls City Council members at City Hall in the Thief River Falls.  On that
same day Joshua Mark Hagen, D.O.B. 02/07/1980 also reported the incident to law enforcement.

Officers were advised that the two individuals involved in the altercation were Jerald Dean Brown, D.O.B.
08/21/1944 and Hagen.  Officers learned that Brown and Hagen had gotten into a fight during a committee
meeting and that, as a result of this altercation both Hagen and Brown had received minor injuries.

On 07/11/2018, Chief Deputy Seth Vettleson and Investigator Blaize Zimmerman of the Pennington County
Sheriff’s Department were asked to investigate the matter.   Through investigation officers were able to
identify other individuals who were also present at the meeting at the time of the altercation. Those
individuals were department head Melissa Sletten, City Finance Director Angela Phillip, City Administrator
Rodney Otterness, Councilman Curtis Howe, and Councilman Jason Aarestad.  As part of their
investigation officers took recorded statements from everyone who was present when the altercation
occurred including Brown and Hagen. 

In speaking with the witnesses officers learned that all individuals were attending a meeting for the
Administrative Services Committee for the City of Thief River Falls.  Officers learned that early on in the
evening Hagen and Councilman Howe got into a verbal argument over city business.  After the argument
between Howe and Hagen ended, Hagen stepped outside. When Hagen returned witnesses reported that
Hagen continued to make comments throughout the meeting. Hagen acknowledged to Chief Deputy
Vettleson that he had taken “a couple of shots” at Howe for not paying attention.

Eventually Brown indicated that he did not want to hear anymore of Hagen’s comments.  Brown told Inv.
Zimmerman that Hagen continued to make “smart remarks” and going after Howe. Witnesses stated that
Brown told Hagen to “shut up”.  Brown stated that at point he had told Hagen that “I’m sick and tired of you”. 
Brown also told Inv. Zimmerman that he told Hagen, “I’m going to take you outside.” 

In response witnesses said they heard Hagen say to Brown “Make me” and “Let’s go”.  At that point all
witnesses except for Hagen stated that both Hagen and Brown stood up, left their seats in the meeting
room and walked towards each other. The witnesses, except for Hagen, stated that Hagen and Brown then
met up behind Councilman Aarestad who was seated in between Hagen and Brown.  Witnesses stated
that Brown and Hagen were nose to nose and then a shoving match ensued. 

Howe and Ms. Phillip told officers that after being shoved by Hagen that Brown picked up a chair to defend
himself.  Phillip told Chief Deputy Vettleson that she saw Brown eventually throw the chair at Hagen. Hagen
claimed that Brown held the chair and swung it at Hagen.  At that point Hagen and Brown ended up on the
floor of the meeting room with Hagen on top of Brown.  Howe, Aarestad and Brown told officers that Hagen
physically assaulted Brown while they were both on the floor. 

Aarestad told Inv. Zimmerman that Hagen was “pounding on (Brown’s) head as hard has he could.”  Howe
told Inv. Zimmerman that he saw Hagen kicking Brown in the face while Brown was on all fours on the
ground.  Hagen told Chief Deputy Vettleson that when he saw Brown grab the chair that Hagen believed it
was a serious threat. Instead of leaving through the exit Hagen grabbed Brown by the back of the neck and
drove a knee into Brown and threw Brown on the ground. Hagen stated that he only continued to hit Brown
2
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
to get Brown to let go of Hagen’s legs. No witness saw Brown attempt to hit Hagen. 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

At that point Otterness got up from his seat and put Hagen in a bear hug in order to restrain Hagen. Howe
stated that he got in between Hagen and Brown to keep Hagen from continuing to kick Brown.  Multiple
witnesses stated that Hagen told Howe that Hagen would punch him if Howe didn’t get out of his face. 
Aarestad said that Howe and Otterness were having difficulty restraining Hagen so he helped them out. 
Phillip and Sletten both stated that Otterness, Howe and Aarestad were trying to calm Hagen down but
Hagen continued to resist and kick in the air.  Otterness stated that when he grabbed Hagen that Hagen
didn’t disengage from Brown and continued to struggle for a period of time. Despite Hagen’s claims to
officers, no other witness saw anyone attempt to punch Hagen during this entire altercation. 

Witnesses stated that both Hagen and Brown could have avoided this altercation and were acting like two
children on a school yard.  Hagen told officers that after the altercation he called everyone in the room a
derogatory name and then left.  Witnesses stated that many people have been disgusted with Hagen’s
behavior in these meetings and it has been going on for too long.

Officers were able to obtain photos of Brown’s face. In reviewing those photos officers noted that Brown
had injuries to the left side of his face. Officers were also able to take pictures of Hagen. Those photos
indicated that Hagen had received several abrasions on his back and chest.  

3
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Blaize Zimmerman Electronically Signed:

Investigator 07/18/2018 01:33 PM
102 W 1st St Pennington County,  Minnesota
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Badge: 1311

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Stephen R Moeller Electronically Signed:

101 N Main 07/18/2018 01:22 PM
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-0773

4
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

X SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on August 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM before the
above-named court at 101 N Main, Thief River Falls, MN 56701 to answer this complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: July 18, 2018.

Judicial Officer Tamara Yon Electronically Signed: 07/18/2018 04:03 PM

District Court Judge

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF PENNINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this
vs. Summons upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Joshua Mark Hagen
Defendant

5
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

Name: Joshua Mark Hagen
DOB: 02/07/1980
Address: 308 State Ave S
Thief River Fal, MN 56701

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 150lbs.
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race:
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #: F756013803718   (MN)
Alcohol Concentration:

6
 57-CR-18-516 Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 7/18/2018 04:09:18 PM
Pennington County, MN

Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case

Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 7/10/2018 609.224.1(2) Misdemeanor A5302   MN0570000 18002197

Assault-5th Deg-Inflict or Attempt
Bodily Harm