NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 26, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Gideon Joseph Martin found guilty
Court file #69DD-CR-25-1689
Today, in St. Louis County District Court in Duluth, a jury found Gideon Joseph Martin, 37, guilty of First-Degree Assault, Obstructing the Legal Process, Fourth-Degree Assault, and Fleeing a Peace Officer, announced County Attorney Kim Maki. The verdict was delivered following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Shawn B. Reed. Mr. Martin represented himself at trial, with the assistance of a court appointed lawyer standing by.
On May 26, 2025, law enforcement responded to a residence on Hermantown Road on the report of an unwanted male at the property. Officers contacted Mr. Martin, who admitted he went through a shed on the property to retrieve a towel for his bleeding foot.
Officers proceeded to ask Mr. Martin about a burglary occurring in the area; however, the officers released Mr. Martin when they determined there was insufficient evidence to arrest him for the burglary. Mr. Martin requested a ride to an address on Willard Road, in the city of Rice Lake, St. Louis County, Minnesota. A St. Louis County Deputy offered to drive Mr. Martin to the requested location.
After arriving at the Rice Lake location, Mr. Martin became agitated, climbed on top of the deputy, and choked him from behind. The deputy nearly lost consciousness. Mr. Martin ran away and climbed a nearby tree where he stayed for four hours until he came down and was placed under arrest.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Kirstyn Oye.
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