Brown County District Court

• Two felony domestic assault counts were filed Sept. 9 against Joshua T. Wendt, 42, 17604 460th Ave., Sanborn. A court hearing was set for Oct. 4.

According to court documents, Brown County sheriff’s deputy Justin Robertson responded to a call in North Star Township at 3:26 p.m. Aug. 28. A juvenile female reportedly got into an argument with her father, Wendt, and ran into a cornfield after he hit her in the head.

Robertson arrived and the female walked out of the cornfield. He noticed dirt on her clothes and hands. She told Robertson she got into an argument about homework, and he yelled at her, hit her in the face with an open hand that caused the right side of her head to hit a car window.

The girl said she grabbed Wendt’s phone and got out of the truck and ran into a cornfield. She said she was scared around him.

Wendt told sheriff’s deputy Justin Bauer he ran in the cornfield and the victim took his phone. Wendt denied hitting the victim in the head. He was convicted of violation of an order for protection on Nov. 12, 2013, and on Jan. 5, 2015, in Brown County Court. Both charges are qualified domestic violence-related offenses.

• Gross misdemeanor assault charges were filed Sept. 9 against Alexander Stephen R. Gerasch, 23, 30620 300th St., Sleepy Eye. A hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 20, 2022.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police were dispatched to Oakwood Estates Sept. 7 for an assault report. A female caller said she left the residence and was waiting nearby. New Ulm patrol officer Sara Pruett learned from dispatch that the caller saw the person who assaulted her, Gerasch, run across the Jensen Motors parking lot toward Broadway Street. He was not wearing shoes or a shirt but had shorts on. Police did not find him at the time. He was booked into jail Sept. 8.

A witness said Gerasch is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not taking his medications. She said he had an episode yesterday involving his grandfather. The witness said she agreed that Gerasch could stay at their place last night if he leaves in the morning, so he wasn’t home when she or her boyfriend were at work.

There was miscommunication and Gerasch did not leave the trailer that morning. The witness said Gerasch was suddenly behind her, wrapped his arms around her and told he was God and she needed saving and he was the only one who could save her. She said she ran away and he followed her and throw items, knocking items over.

The victim called her mother, who arrived shortly. The victim said Gerasch pushed her shoulder and pulled her hair. The girl’s mother and victim ran to a vehicle and called emergency services.

Police searched for Gerasch but did not find him.