Lakeville Domestic Assault Suspect Arrested in Minneapolis

An Eden Prairie man was arrested this week. 

Joe Willie Towns, 42, was arrested Monday in Minnneapolis and has been released on bond.

He is charged with a felony count of domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He also faces two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault, each of which has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Towns argued with his victim in a Lakeville apartment on July 27, during which he squeezed her throat twice, cutting off her breath.

A 12-year-old girl who witnessed the argument told police that Towns hit her when she tried to stop the attack, and that he briefly chased her when she ran from the apartment to get help.

subsequently spoke to Towns, who told them he couldn’t come in and speak to them about the incident because he was on his way to live with family in Missouri.

A nationwide warrant for Towns’ arrest was issued in early September.