Man Charged with Assault at Eagan Group Home

A Duluth man has been charged with assault after an incident earlier this week in an Eagan group home in which authorities say he attacked another man because he wanted a cigarette.

Timothy Robert Steele, 31, is charged with second-degree assault, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine. He also faces two misdemeanor charges of fifth-degree domestic assault, each of which has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. 

According to the criminal complaint, Steele had been living in the group home in the 4600 block of Partridge Drive for about two weeks when the Monday incident occurred.

The victim told police that at about 6 p.m., Steele asked if he could go outside for a smoke. The victim said he has a “good rapport” with Steele, and has known him for about a year, and asked if he could join him outside.

“Steele indicated he did not want anyone outside with him while he was smoking and that he wanted to be alone,” the complaint says.

A few minutes later, Steele came back inside and approached the victim with his right hand extended, as if to shake hands. However, Steele grabbed the victim by his hand and pushed him into the kitchen counter, punching him five or six times in his face and head, according to the complaint.

The victim was able to break free of Steele’s grip, but Steele picked up a kitchen chair and hit the victim in his left arm, which he was holding up so he wouldn’t get hit elsewhere, the complaint says.

The victim backed into the living room, and Steele picked up a pen and came after him, according to the complaint. “Victim said Steele was smiling the entire time and held the pen in a threatening manner,” the complaint says. “Victim believed that Steele was trying to stab [him] with the pen.”

When the victim went outside to get away from Steele, Steele followed him and picked up a handful of rocks, the complaint says. The victim asked Steele what he wanted, and Steele said he wanted a cigarette; the victim gave him one, and Steele calmed down, according to the complaint.

Steele’s criminal history in Minnesota includes a number of convictions for disorderly conduct, terroristic threats and domestic assault.

He remains in the Dakota County Jail on a $50,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.