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Charges: Teen Punched Classmate During Gym Football Game

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – An 18-year-old Rosemount man is accused of assaulting a classmate during a gym class football game last week, according to charges filed Tuesday in Dakota County Court.

Jeremy Alexander Johnson was charged with third-degree assault in connection with the incident, which happened last Tuesday at Rosemount High School.

According to the complaint, Rosemount Police were called to Rosemount High School on a report of an assault during a gym class. When authorities arrived, they learned that Johnson had punched the victim in the face, knocking out two of his teeth. Johnson told police he had been playing a game of football and the victim was annoying him.

The complaint states Johnson told police the victim pushed him at one point during the game. That's when Johnson got angry and retaliated by punching the victim in the face with his right hand. He had a small laceration on his hand from the punch.

Multiple witnesses said they saw Johnson run towards the victim, saw the victim fall to the ground and blood coming from his mouth. Another witness said he heard the smack and saw the victim fall to the ground, and another witness said he saw Johnson run up to the victim and upper cut him in the face, punching him hard enough that at least one tooth came flying out, the complaint states.

The victim went down and Johnson walked away immediately. It appeared the hit was on purpose, according to the complaint.

The victim was sent to Fairview Ridges Hospital, where it was determined he lost two teeth from the incident. The victim also had damage to his gum from the incident.

If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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