THIEF RIVER FALLS-A Pennington County Sheriff's deputy charged with domestic violence last week has been placed on paid administrative leave, county officials say.
Investigator Blaize Zimmerman was charged July 17 with misdemeanor domestic assault. The charges stem from an arrest at 1:45 p.m. July 14 in the 14700 block of 158th Street Northeast in Thief River Falls, according to court filings.
He was released released on a $2,000 bond.
Zimmerman's case is being prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney's Office to avoid a conflict of interest.
His role as criminal investigator within Minnesota's Ninth Judicial District has led to three judges recusing themselves in the case, court records show.
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The case has been assigned to Judge Jeffrey S. Remick.
Zimmerman's next court date has yet to be scheduled. He is being represented by attorney Michael Jorgenson, who was not available for comment Thursday. Sheriff Ray Kuznia also was not available for comment Thursday.
Zimmerman currently i under paid administrative leave, according to Pennington County deputy auditor Kevin Erickson.
