DETROIT LAKES — Joseph Alexander Pitts, 25, of rural Osage, has been sentenced in Becker County District Court for violating a no-contact order, a gross misdemeanor domestic abuse charge. Several other charges, including felony stalking and misdemeanor domestic assaults, were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Court records state that on December 28, 2024, a Becker County Sheriff’s Office investigator responded to a report concerning a woman fearing for her safety. The woman messaged a witness saying, “he’s going to kill me.” Upon arrival, she reported that Pitts had assaulted her. She disclosed a nearly year-long relationship with Pitts, which had recently turned physically abusive.
Although Pitts denied the assault, visible bruises were noted on the woman’s face and shoulder. She stated the injuries were caused by Pitts hitting her on December 27 and throwing her against a wall on December 28. A breathalyzer test revealed Pitts had a blood alcohol content of .08.
A no-contact order was served to Pitts on December 30. However, he allegedly violated it by calling the woman three times from jail, once just three hours after being served. Pitts has a prior felony conviction for first-degree assault on a 5-month-old child.
On April 21, Judge Gretchen Thilmony sentenced Pitts to 364 days in jail, with 284 days stayed for two years, crediting him for 80 days served. He was fined $500 plus $160 in court fees, ordered to abstain from alcohol and nonprescribed drugs, and prohibited from abusive behavior toward the victim. Pitts must complete cognitive skills and behavioral programs, and a comprehensive domestic abuse evaluation, with supervised probation for two years.
In related cases, Nathan Arthur Meyer Jr., 18, of Detroit Lakes, was charged with felony third-degree assault, felony domestic assault, and two counts of felony domestic abuse for violating multiple protection orders. Bail was set at $80,000 cash or $40,000 non-cash, with conditions including no contact with victims and participation in a Pre-Trial Supervision Program. His next hearing is May 19 before Judge Thilmony.
Also, Cody James Kneifl, 27, of Detroit Lakes, faces felony domestic assault and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charges. Police responded on April 16 to a domestic assault report where the victim stated Kneifl had slapped her twice and pinned her down during the incident. He has two prior convictions for fifth-degree assault. Released without bail on April 18, Kneifl must comply with no-contact conditions and pre-trial supervision. His next court date is May 21 before Judge Michael Fritz.
