Mendota Heights Man Charged with Assaulting Vulnerable Adult

A Mendota Heights man has been charged with assaulting a vulnerable adult in Apple Valley in September, fracturing his rib and bruising his lung.

Jacob Alexander Daraitis, 21, is charged with third-degree assault resulting in substantial bodily harm, a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of a $3,000 fine.

Police were called to the victim’s Apple Valley home just after 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 to investigate a reported assault several days earlier, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers met with the victim, diagnosed as a vulnerable adult, and his parents. The victim said Daraitis had been at his apartment on Sept. 16, and the two began arguing. The victim asked Daraitis to leave several times, but Daraitis responded by “puffing out his chest” and challenging him.

Daraitis told the victim that he wouldn’t hit him in the head because of his medical condition and he didn’t want to cause a seizure, according to the complaint. The victim said he was able to “herd” Daraitis out into the hallway, but Daraitis put his foot in the door, keeping him from closing it.

While Daraitis was in the hall, he punched the victim in his midsection, according to the complaint. The victim described the blows as “kidney shots,” with Daraitis using both fists.

The victim went to a hospital the next day and was told that his rib was fractured and he had bruising on his lung, according to the complaint.

Police called Daraitis, who admitted arguing with the victim. He said the victim has “medical and mental issues” and that he sometimes gets “out of hand” and acts “crazy.”

Daraitis admitted hitting the victim several times in his midsection, telling police that he “wasn’t going to be someone’s punching bag,” according to the complaint. Police asked if he was defending himself, and Daraitis replied, “No, but I’m not going to just let someone hit me,” the complaint says.

Officers asked Daraitis if he was afraid of the victim. “Oh, God, no,” Daraitis replied, according to the complaint. “I think I could take him.”

Daraitis is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charge Feb. 4 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.