Gideon Joseph Martin was sentenced on April 10 to 189 months in prison for First-Degree Assault, according to an announcement by County Attorney Kim Maki. The sentence is the maximum allowed under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
The case stems from an incident on May 26, 2025, when law enforcement responded to a residence on Hermantown Road after receiving a report of an unwanted male at the property. Officers found Martin, who told them he had entered a shed on the property to get a towel for his bleeding foot. After questioning him about a nearby burglary and finding insufficient evidence, officers released him. A St. Louis County Deputy then offered Martin a ride to another location.
After arriving at that location, authorities say Martin became agitated and attacked the deputy by climbing on top of him and choking him from behind until the deputy nearly lost consciousness. Martin fled and climbed into a tree where he remained for four hours before being arrested.
Martin was also convicted at his February 26 jury trial of Obstructing Legal Process, Fourth-Degree Assault, and Fleeing a Peace Officer. By law, those sentences will run concurrently with his sentence for First-Degree Assault.
“The sentence imposed on Mr. Martin sends a clear message that violent and unlawful behavior will be met with serious consequences,” Maki said. “My office remains committed to protecting the community, supporting victims, and upholding the law. Most importantly, we will not tolerate assaultive behavior against those who are sworn to protect the public.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Kirstyn Oye.
