Jeffrey Paul Holmberg, 52, Hovland, was sentenced by Judge Mike Cuzzo on July 20, 2011 after a jury found him guilty on two of four charges related to a May 27, 2010 incident at the home of Gene Raymond Erickson, 74, Grand Marais.
According to the Cook County Law Enforcement complaint, the incident began at 12:45 p.m. when Holmberg called 911 to tell the dispatcher that Gene Erickson had possession of his [Holmberg’s] golf clubs and refused to give them back until a bill from Erickson’s towing company was paid. A few minutes later, Cook County Law Enforcement received a call from Erickson reporting that he had been assaulted.
As Deputy Paul Spry responded to Erickson’s house at 401 South Shore Drive, he saw Holmberg driving away with a companion, the man who owned the vehicle that had been towed. The men drove past the deputy and Spry said he believed the matter had been resolved.
However, when he arrived at Erickson’s home, Erickson told him that before Holmberg left there had been an altercation. Erickson said the dispute started when he refused to accept a $400 check from Holmberg. Erickson told the deputy that he became concerned that he was going to be assaulted and wanted to get something to defend himself, noting that there were two of them and they were both younger and stronger than him. Erickson said Holmberg grabbed his arm, kicked him, and knocked him to the ground. He said Holmberg made a fist and pulled his arm back, but did not strike him. Erickson said Holmberg then broke the window of his tow truck and took the golf clubs.
Deputy Spry observed that the small window on the driver’s side of the tow truck was smashed in. Erickson had scrapes on his leg and his shorts were torn.
Holmberg was contacted and came willingly to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center to be interviewed. Holmberg stated that Erickson took a swing at him. Holmberg said he blocked the punch and in return kicked Erickson in the leg. Holmberg said he had taken karate for six years and it was a natural reaction to defend himself. He did not deny taking the golf clubs, but he said the clubs were not inside of the tow truck.
Holmberg was charged with terroristic threats and reckless disregard for risk, a felony; assault in the fifth degree – inflicting or attempting bodily harm, a misdemeanor; damage to property 4th degree, intentional damage, a misdemeanor; and theft – depriving another of legal interest. On June 16, 2011, a jury acquitted Holmberg of the felony charge, but found him guilty of assault in the fifth degree and damage to property in the 4th degree. The theft of legal interest charge was dismissed.
Holmberg was sentenced to 90 days in the Northeast Regional Correctional Center in Saginaw, MN with 90 days of that time stayed for one year of supervised probation. He must pay $2,203.88 in restitution to Erickson, have no contact with Erickson or his family, make no threats of violence, must receive no harassment violations, must attend cognitive skill training, and serve five days of community work service.
At the sentencing, Holmberg’s attorney David C. Keegan of Duluth requested that sentencing be delayed until he could file an appeal. Judge Cuzzo denied that request and proceeded with the sentencing.
In a related incident, on June 9, 2011, Holmberg reported being assaulted in the garage of his Hovland home. In a statement to Cook County Law Enforcement, Holmberg said he was walking by his garage when he was “jumped by an unknown male.” Holmberg said the man said, “This is from Gene Erickson.”
Holmberg said he was knocked unconscious and when he came to he went to Cook County – North Shore Hospital. Cook County Sheriff Deputy Chuck Anderson met with Holmberg in the emergency room and confirmed that he had cuts to the right side of his forehead and right cheek. Holmberg told the deputy that he did not think Erickson was involved. The incident is still under investigation.
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