New information on assault in Essentia Emergency Department

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde

(St. Louis County Jail)

DULUTH, Min. – Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde has officially been charged with two counts of assault from his alleged action in the Essentia St. Mary’s Emergency Department.  It happened on October 16, 2025.

According to charging documents Legarde was in a emergency room and activated his call light.

When a nurse responded to the call light, Legarde allegedly demanded that his clothes be returned to him.

He allegedly said, “If I don’t get my clothes, I’m going to hurt one of you guys.”  The nurse then told Legarde that he was “on a hold” and the hospital, and she could not give him his clothes back.

The criminal complain continued to read that Legarde then, “Swung his arm at [the nurse] and struck her on her arm, which she raised to protect her face.”

Another nurse entered the room in an attempt to deescalate the situation and she was struck “multiple times”.

A third nurse and security staff responded and were able to get Legarde under control again.

Legarde allegedly made threats toward hospital staff at that time.

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Duluth Police then responded.

Duluth Police say Legarde, “made statements to law enforcement about hiring people to come back to the hospital and do harm.”

Duluth Police took Legarde into custody after being medically cleared to leave the hospital.  Police also say Legarde had more than $10,000 in cash on him at the time of his arrest

He is officially facing two counts of 4th Degree Felony Assault  – Physician, nurse or other emergency room personnel, and one count of Disorderly Conduct.