Mudgett charged with simple assault

After a domestic incident on Sunday, July 28, Duane Allen Mudgett Jr. of New Rockford has been charged with simple assault – domestic violence and minor in consumption.

Court documents allege that Mudgett and his girlfriend had been drinking that night, and that Mudgett physically assaulted her.

“That said offense was committed around the 400 block of 13th Street North in the City of New Rockford … when the Defendant and Jane Doe (the Defendant’s girlfriend) were in his vehicle. The two had been drinking when Jane Doe got sick,” states court documents.

Allegedly, Mudgett then called someone to help take care of his girlfriend, but before that individual could arrive, a neighbor called 911 after witnessing Mudgett pull his girlfriend from the vehicle while she “screamed in fear and/or pain.”

“During the altercation and in an attempt to keep Jane Doe from leaving, the Defendant did violently bite Jane Doe multiple times, breaking her skin and causing pain,” allege court documents.

The altercation reportedly continued when the other individual arrived, during which Mudgett allegedly “yanked” his girlfriend out of a different vehicle as she tried to flee and pinned her against the ground.

Mudgett was arrested and booked at the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake, and was charged with simple assault – domestic violence, a Class B misdemeanor.

He was also charged with consumption or possession of alcohol by a person under 21, as well as open container, both of which are infractions.

At a bond hearing on Monday, July 30, Mudgett was handed a $250 bail, and was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim upon release. He was released later that day after posting bail.

Mudgett’s initial appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

Meanwhile, Sydney Dockter, who was recently charged with corruption of a minor and burglary in Eddy County, and for endangerment of a child in Stutsman County, recently found herself once again behind bars in Wells County.

At a bond hearing on Monday, July 29, Dockter's bail was set at $500 cash. She faces charges for theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. A third charge for possession of a controlled substance was dismissed.

The new charges came just days after Dockter posted bail in Stutsman County after allegedly passing out in a hotel room while three children, aged 1, 2 and 6 had easy access to narcotics and drug paraphernalia located in the room.

In addition to several misdemeanor charges, Dockter is now facing a total of seven Class C felony charges across multiple counties, each with a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of $10,000.

Dockter is considered innocent unless proven guilty.