Charges: St. James man choked pregnant girlfriend in front of screaming toddler

A St. James man is accused of choking his pregnant girlfriend in front of the couple’s toddler. Derek Alan Anderson, 20, was charged in Watonwan County Court Tuesday with felony counts of false imprisonment and domestic assault.

According to the criminal complaint, Anderson flew into a jealous rage after the victim received a text message.  The victim told police Anderson grabbed the hood of her sweatshirt as she was walking away from him and slammed her against the wall.

Court documents say the couple’s 18-month-old child was in the room, screaming and crying as the alleged assault happened. The victim is 16 weeks pregnant with Anderson’s child.