Paul Michael Nieman, 25, Little Falls, was convicted Nov. 5 in Morrison County District Court of one felony count of domestic assault by strangulation and one felony count of violating a no-contact order.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 25, 2013, a victim reported to law enforcement that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, identified as Nieman, at Nieman’s residence.
The victim stated that Nieman had punched her, kicked her, held her against her will and blocked off her airway, preventing her from breathing or calling for help.
Law enforcement spoke with the victim, who stated she was looking through Nieman’s phone and saw some messages from another person. When she confronted Nieman, he started hitting her multiple times and squeezed her neck very hard so she couldn’t breathe.
Nieman also took the victim’s phone and would not give it to her when she wanted to use it to call for help, and also would not let her leave the house.
Photos taken at the scene showed multiple bruises all over the victim’s body, consistent with being punched and kicked repeatedly.
On Dec. 30, 2013, Nieman appeared in court for the prior case and was ordered to have no contact with the victim, his long-time significant other.
On March 2, 2015, the victim was supposed to testify at a jury trial against Nieman, and her whereabouts were unknown.
The victim’s vehicle was located at a residence where she was supposed to be picked up, and deputies found that the residence had a false wall. It was discovered that there was an active warrant out for the victim’s arrest, and a search warrant was obtained. The victim was located behind the false wall, and stated to officers that Nieman had brought her there, admitting that she knew she had a warrant for her arrest and Nieman knew she was there.
Nieman’s criminal record shows two previous convictions for assault within the last 10 years.
For the domestic violence charge, Nieman was given a stay of imposition and 30 days in jail, with credit for 30 days already served, and sentenced to five years probation. He was also fined $185.
For violating the no-contact order, Nieman was given a stay of imposition and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with credit for 30 days already served, and five years probation, to be served concurrently with the other case. He was also fined an additional $185.
Nieman had one felony count of domestic assault, one gross misdemeanor count of interfering with an emergency call and one felony count of aiding an offender dismissed as part of a plea bargain.