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Homeless man charged with assault, burglary

After alleged downtown apartment incident

NEW ULM — A 34-year-old homeless man was charged in Brown County District Court Monday with on several assault and burglary counts.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police were advised of an alleged domestic assault at 10 1/2 N. Minnesota St. on Dec. 1. At the scene, police met with a crying woman who said her brother, Joshua A. Kotzer, was the reason she called police.

The woman said she allowed her brother to stay at her place since he had no place to live, but that he was not making any progress in trying to get a job and that she had enough of him “free loading” off her.

On Nov. 30, the woman arrived home after working the Kraft night shift, confronted Kotzer. She told him he was no longer allowed to stay with her and needed to gather his belongings and leave. The woman said a verbal argument began that turned into physical altercation.

At one point, Kotzer picked up the woman and threw her across the room, causing her to land on her child’s pack and play crib. The woman showed police a neck injury she said happened when she hit the corner of the crib. Police photographed the injury.

The woman said Kotzer punched her in the back of the head and slashed a tire on her vehicle, then left. She said she changed the lock on her door after the altercation.

In addition, the woman said her brother has a lengthy criminal history including an arrest for domestic assault on April 4, 2007, in Benson.

Kotzer’s unconditional bail was set at $30,000 ($15,000 with conditions) Monday. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim. He was listed on the Brown County Jail roster Monday afternoon.

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