Piekarski charged with felony assault

Chad Daniel Piekarski, 46, Little Falls, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of assault by strangulation and one gross misdemeanor count of malicious punishment of a child.

The charges stem from a July 6 incident, when the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an assault that occurred at a residence on 153rd St. in Morrison County. It was reported that the victim was a juvenile male. Deputies responded to the report and spoke with the victim, according to the report.

The victim stated that he was at Piekarski’s residence and helping him set up for a party. He stated that Piekarski had been drinking most of the day. He stated that at one point he walked through the kitchen to go to the bathroom and Piekarski followed him and was asking him questions about getting into fights with other people. The victim stated that Piekarski pushed him so hard that he fell backward onto the floor. The victim stated that he got back onto his feet and pushed Piekarski back. The victim stated that they exchanged insults. Per the report, Piekarski then pushed him up against the refrigerator and wrapped both his hands around his neck and squeezed tightly. The victim stated that he tried to yell but he could not get air through his windpipe. The victim estimated that the strangulation lasted for approximately 30 seconds to a minute. The victim stated that when Piekarski let go of his neck, he left the house and called his mother to come pick him up. A deputy looked at the victim’s neck and observed several significant marks on both the left and right side of his neck that appeared to be scratches and skin abrasions.

According to the report, deputies also spoke to the victim’s mother. She stated that she received a phone call from the victim saying that he was involved in an altercation with Piekarski, and he needed to be picked up. His mother located him walking on the side of the road with no shoes and brought him to her house.

Another deputy went to Piekarski’s residence and spoke to him about what happened. Piekarski allegedly admitted to being in a physical altercation with the victim. Piekarski stated that the victim was lipping off to him about being stronger than him. Piekarski stated that he then got physical. He stated that at one point he lifted the victim up off the ground. Piekarski allegedly admitted to putting his hands around the victim’s neck. Piekarski appeared to be intoxicated, but he refused to take a breath test, according to the report.

If convicted on the felony charge, Piekarski faces up to three years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine. If convicted on the gross misdemeanor charge, Piekarski faces up to one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.