Inver Grove Man Arrested for Brandishing Samurai Sword, Attacking Family

An Inver Grove Heights man remains in custody after he allegedly attacked two female relatives and then threatened them with a sword.

Derrick Joshua Levros, 22, has been charged with one count of terroristic threats, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and two misdemeanor domestic abuse charges, each carrying a maximum penalty of 90 days in prison and a $1,000 fine.

On Feb. 16, at 9:21 a.m. Inver Grove police were dispatched to an apartment building after a call came in with a female voice saying, "Oh my God, oh my God" before the line disconnected. On the way to the scene, dispatch sent officers an update: There was a male suspect with a knife and someone was bleeding from their lip.

On scene, officers spoke with a woman, who said that Levros had slapped a 16-year-old female family member, causing her head to hit a nearby wall. When the woman tried to intervene, Levros pushed both of them down onto the floor, and held them down by their necks. Both reportedly punched and scratched Levros to get him off of them. Police noted scratches on Levros' chest and face.

Both women denied that their air supply had been cut off when Levros collared them, but reported lasting neck pain as a result.

The two said that Levros stood in front of them with the samurai sword.

For his part, Levros said he brandished the sword "for his protection," though later he admitted that it was a mistake to bring it out. He said it was in its casing at the time of the incident. He also claimed that the younger woman slapped him first and he responded by slamming her against a wall. He added that he grabbed their necks to "restrain them."

Levros is being held at the Dakota County Jail on a $30,000 bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 19.