Published: October 20, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - An Apple Valley man who is already facing charges stemming from a March police pursuit in Eagan has been charged with three additional felonies after prosecutors allege he brutally assaulted his former girlfriend inside her Burnsville home, leaving her with broken ribs, a broken tooth, a black eye, and a fractured structure in her throat.
Jonathon Ceary Duncan, 31, of Apple Valley, is charged in Dakota County District Court with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, third-degree assault resulting in substantial bodily harm, and domestic assault by strangulation. According to an amended criminal complaint, the alleged assault occurred during the early morning hours of October 5, 2026, following an encounter between Duncan and the victim at an Apple Valley restaurant.
Prosecutors allege Duncan repeatedly punched and slapped the woman, struck her head with an oven door, threatened her with a kitchen knife, dragged her by her hair, and strangled her multiple times. The complaint alleges the violence was severe enough to cause the woman to lose consciousness repeatedly. The charges represent a separate criminal case involving Duncan, who is also facing charges connected to a March 9, 2026, incident in Eagan in which he allegedly fled from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 100 mph and was found in possession of cocaine.
Welfare Check Leads Investigators to Hospitalized Victim
According to the criminal complaint, Burnsville police became involved on October 5th after someone requested a welfare check on the woman because she had not appeared for work. Investigators learned that the woman had been at a restaurant in Apple Valley the previous evening. A friend told law enforcement that the woman was last seen speaking with Duncan, whom investigators identified as her former romantic partner.
Officers contacted Duncan by telephone. Duncan reportedly acknowledged that he had previously been in a relationship with the woman but claimed they had separated approximately a week and a half earlier. He told investigators he spoke with her in the restaurant parking lot the previous night but denied leaving the establishment with her.
As the investigation continued, law enforcement located the woman at Fairview Hospital, where she was receiving treatment for significant injuries. According to the complaint, medical personnel identified several injuries, including a black eye, broken ribs, a broken tooth, and fractured thyroid cartilage in her throat. The thyroid cartilage is part of the structure surrounding the voice box in the neck.
The woman also reported difficulty seeing and hearing, along with pain in her head. Investigators subsequently interviewed the woman about what had occurred.
Encounter at Apple Valley Restaurant Preceded Alleged Assault
The woman told investigators that she and Duncan had previously been involved in a serious relationship but had separated approximately one week before the incident. According to the complaint, she had removed Duncan from her home after he allegedly physically assaulted her during an earlier incident.
On the evening of October 4th, the woman was at an Apple Valley restaurant with a friend when Duncan, who was also there, approached her. The complaint states Duncan became upset because the woman was speaking with one of his friends. He allegedly confronted her and told her not to look at him in a "weird way."
When the woman left the restaurant during the early morning hours of October 5th, Duncan reportedly approached her in the parking lot. According to investigators, Duncan told the woman he was going to pick up a friend and asked her to follow him. He allegedly assured her that nothing would happen because his friend would be present.
The woman declined to follow Duncan and instead returned to her Burnsville residence, where she locked the door.
Duncan Allegedly Entered Home Before Assault Began
The complaint states that after returning home, the woman heard a noise and went to investigate. She reportedly discovered Duncan attempting to open a door by reaching his arm through an unlocked window. The woman then unlocked the door and let Duncan and his friend into the residence. Once inside, Duncan allegedly took possession of the woman's cellphone and immediately began accusing her of having sexual relationships with other men inside the home.
According to prosecutors, the confrontation escalated into physical violence in the kitchen. Duncan allegedly slapped the woman across the face before repeatedly striking her with both open hands and closed fists. The woman eventually fell to the floor and struck the oven door. Investigators allege Duncan then used the oven door itself to repeatedly strike the woman's head. The complaint states that at one point, the blows caused her to lose consciousness.
The assault allegedly continued until Duncan became physically exhausted and stopped to catch his breath, allowing the woman to stand. However, prosecutors allege the violence resumed shortly afterward.
Knife Allegedly Held Against Victim's Neck
According to the criminal complaint, Duncan retrieved a purple kitchen knife and held it against the woman's neck. The woman attempted to push him away but fell to the ground again. Duncan allegedly positioned himself on the floor next to her, wrapping his legs around hers to restrict her movement.
The complaint states Duncan pressed the handle of the knife against her chest while positioning the blade near her shoulder. He then allegedly threatened to stab the woman in the leg and cut her throat if she attempted to get up.
Prosecutors cite the alleged use of the knife as the basis for the second-degree assault charge involving a dangerous weapon.
Alleged Assault Continued Upstairs
The complaint alleges Duncan subsequently grabbed the woman by her hair and dragged her upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside, Duncan reportedly began dismantling portions of the bed frame and moving the mattress while searching for another person he believed was hiding inside the residence.
Investigators allege Duncan continued accusing the woman of being involved with other men despite no indication in the complaint that another person was hiding in the bedroom. The woman told investigators Duncan resumed physically assaulting her, repeatedly striking her head, arms and ribs.
According to the complaint, Duncan would occasionally become tired from the physical exertion, stop to rest and then resume beating her. Prosecutors allege the violence was so severe that the woman vomited and lost consciousness at various points during the assault.
The woman also reported that Duncan strangled her several times, temporarily causing her to lose consciousness. The strangulation allegations form the basis of the third felony charge, domestic assault by strangulation.
Under Minnesota law, domestic assault by strangulation involves intentionally interfering with another person's normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth.
Victim Escaped After Duncan Left Home
Following the alleged assault, Duncan and the friend who accompanied him reportedly rearranged furniture inside the residence. The complaint also alleges Duncan placed the woman's cellphone and Apple Watch into the kitchen garbage disposal.
At some point, Duncan ran outside toward his vehicle, leaving the home's door open. The woman told investigators she recognized the opportunity to escape. She reached her own vehicle and drove to her parents' residence.
According to the complaint, she went to sleep after arriving at her parents' home. When she awoke, she texted friends. Those friends subsequently transported her to the hospital for medical treatment. The complaint does not specify the exact duration of the alleged assault.
Investigators Discover Blood, Broken Oven Door and Damaged Electronics
Law enforcement later searched the woman's Burnsville residence and documented evidence that investigators say was consistent with her account. In the kitchen, officers discovered suspected blood droplets on the floor and a nearby wall. Investigators also observed that the oven door was broken.
Investigators found electronic components inside the kitchen garbage disposal, consistent with the woman's allegation that Duncan placed her cellphone and Apple Watch inside the appliance. Officers also recovered a purple kitchen knife from the dishwasher. The complaint does not specify whether forensic testing had been completed on the knife or suspected blood evidence.
Officers documented additional damage elsewhere in the residence. Investigators observed a broken television in the living room. Upstairs, officers discovered suspected blood droplets on a bedroom wall and vomit on the bedroom carpet. The complaint does not indicate whether Duncan's friend, who was reportedly present during portions of the incident, has been charged with any offense.
Prosecutors Seeking Aggravated Sentence
Duncan faces three felony charges stemming from the October 5 incident.
Count I: Second-Degree Assault With a Dangerous Weapon
Under Minnesota Statute 609.222, subdivision 1, with reference to 609.11, subdivision 4, Duncan is accused of assaulting the woman with a dangerous weapon, specifically a knife.
The complaint lists a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $14,000 under the cited sentencing provision.
Count II: Third-Degree Assault — Substantial Bodily Harm
Under Minnesota Statute 609.223, subdivision 1, Duncan is accused of assaulting the woman and inflicting substantial bodily harm.
The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Count III: Domestic Assault by Strangulation
Under Minnesota Statute 609.2247, subdivision 2, Duncan is accused of intentionally interfering with the breathing or circulation of a family or household member through strangulation.
The offense carries a maximum potential sentence of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. In addition to the charges, prosecutors have formally indicated their intention to seek an aggravated sentence under Minnesota Statute 244.10 and the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. The state identified two potential aggravating factors.
First, prosecutors allege the victim was treated with particular cruelty during the commission of the offense.
Second, prosecutors argue the alleged assault occurred in a location where the victim had an expectation of privacy — her own residence.
An aggravated sentence could allow the court to impose punishment above the presumptive sentencing guidelines range if it makes the necessary legal findings. The state's notice does not mean the court has already imposed or approved an aggravated sentence.
Court Sets $300,000 Conditional Bail
According to Dakota County court records, Judge Krista M. Marks established interim release conditions for Duncan on October 8, 2026. The court set bail or bond with conditions at $300,000.
In addition to the financial requirement, Duncan must comply with several restrictions if released, including GPS monitoring, no contact with the alleged victim, no entry into the alleged victim's residence, compliance with a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO), no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, no use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances, and additional restrictions.
The conditions are intended to govern Duncan's conduct while the criminal case proceeds and do not constitute a finding of guilt. Court records list Duncan's next appearance as an omnibus hearing scheduled for October 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. An omnibus hearing generally addresses pretrial matters, including evidence, motions, and other questions that may need to be resolved before trial. Court records show he has not posted bail as of the writing of this story, and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Duncan Also Facing Charges From March Eagan Police Pursuit
The latest charges mark the second criminal case involving Duncan that Limitless Media has reported on this year: Apple Valley Man Charged After Allegedly Fleeing Eagan Police at 107 MPH, Cocaine Recovered Following Pursuit.
Duncan is also facing charges stemming from a March 9, 2026, incident in Eagan involving a high-speed police pursuit. According to information previously reported by Limitless Media, Duncan allegedly fled from law enforcement officers at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Authorities also reportedly discovered cocaine in his possession following that incident.
The March case is separate from the October domestic assault allegations. The earlier charges do not establish Duncan's guilt in either case, and the two incidents must be considered independently. The information available for this report does not establish the current disposition of the March case.
A plea hearing appears set for December 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM in that case.
Criminal Proceedings Continue
The October 5th allegations involve an extensive account of violence that prosecutors say occurred after Duncan confronted his former partner over suspicions involving other men. Investigators documented significant injuries to the woman and physical evidence inside her residence, including suspected blood, damaged furniture and electronics, and a kitchen knife matching the description she provided.
Prosecutors are seeking an aggravated sentence based on the alleged cruelty of the assault and the fact that it occurred inside the woman's home. Duncan's next scheduled court appearance is October 29th in Dakota County District Court.
All allegations are based on the amended criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court. Duncan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pictured: Jonathon Ceary Duncan, provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
