Benjamin Michael Duff, 32, of Detroit Lakes, has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony domestic assault by strangulation and felony threats of violence following a violent altercation on September 12th.
Deputies were dispatched to a property in Frazee early that morning, where a witness and the victim recounted the assault. According to the victim, Duff, her ex-boyfriend of eight months, confronted her when she came to retrieve her belongings. He allegedly struck her in the head with a tiki torch, grabbed her throat while yelling threats, and later brandished a firearm, asking, “You want to get shot tonight?”
The victim reported struggling to breathe during the attack and sustained visible injuries, including redness and scratches on her neck. Deputies were unable to locate Duff immediately after the incident, but he was arrested on September 19th.
On December 2nd, Duff was released without bail under conditions that include no contact with the victim, adhering to no-contact orders, and prohibitions against possessing firearms or using mood-altering substances.
Detroit Lakes Man Faces Felony Charges for Domestic Assault
By Trish Johnson
Jan 10, 2025 | 6:48 AM