Becker County Court Updates: Felony Assaults, Stalking, and Sentencing

Several criminal cases are making their way through Becker County District Court, including felony assault charges, a stalking case, and a sentencing for domestic violence.
Felony Assault Charges Filed After Detroit Lakes Stabbing
Beaux Michael Duvall Jr., 36, of rural Ponsford, faces felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony third-degree assault for allegedly stabbing a man in the chest during a fight on July 31, 2024.
The victim was reportedly dropping off a child at a Detroit Lakes residence when Duvall punched him in the face and then stabbed him. Witnesses saw the fight happen outside. The victim was hospitalized with a punctured lung, according to court records.
Duvall is also facing felony drug charges after a February 2024 traffic stop, where authorities found over 25 grams of fentanyl and 2.5 grams of cocaine in his possession. His next court hearing is scheduled for April 9, with a trial set for April 15.
Osage Man Charged with Stalking and Domestic Assault
Joseph Alexander Pitts, 25, of Osage, has been charged with felony stalking, two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault, and one count of domestic abuse.
On December 28, 2024, a Becker County investigator responded to a report that a woman feared for her life. She had texted a witness saying, “He’s going to kill me.”
The woman told law enforcement that Pitts had attacked her multiple times, throwing her against a wall and leaving visible bruises. He later violated a no-contact order, calling her three times from jail.
Pitts has a prior felony conviction for first-degree assault on a 5-month-old child. He remains in custody on $35,000 bail.
Detroit Lakes Man Sentenced for Assaulting Nephew
Donald Conrad Kramer, 44, of Detroit Lakes, was sentenced for felony domestic assault by strangulation after attacking his nephew during an argument on July 30, 2024.
Kramer allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat, squeezed until he became light-headed, and threw a punch that missed—striking a female relative instead.
Kramer was sentenced to 67 days in jail (time served) and placed on three years of supervised probation. He must complete domestic abuse counseling, cognitive skill training, and a comprehensive assessment.