Stabbing draws assault charge

The 24-year-old Little Falls man accused of stabbing two men early Sunday outside of a Little Falls bar has been charged with assault.

Justin Scott Prozinski, 24, was charged Tuesday in Morrison County District Court in Little Falls with two counts of felony second-degree assault involving a weapon.

Prozinski was arrested after Little Falls police officers were called to the West Side Bar at 115 Broadway West after receiving a report of the stabbing.

When officers arrived at the bar they found two men, Dillon J. Kneisl, 22, Bertha, and Anthony R. Sievert, 22, Brainerd, had been stabbed. The Morrison County attorney's office reported Sievert suffered a single stab wound and Kneisl was stabbed several times.

"It was just a stupid argument and a fight ensued after that," Little Falls Police Chief Mike Pender said. All three men had been consuming alcohol before the stabbing, he added.

Kneisl and Sievert were transported to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls with injuries requiring surgery, the Little Falls Police Department reported. Both men were airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital, where on Tuesday Kneisl was reported in good condition. Sievert was treated at the hospital and released.

Prozinski remains in custody in the Morrison County jail. Judge Douglas P. Anderson set unconditional bail in the amount of $100,000 bond or cash and conditional bail was at $50,000 bond or $5,000 cash.

Prozinski also was ordered to have no contact with the victims, be restricted to living with his mother in Little Falls and stay out of establishments that serve or sell liquor.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf said the investigation is ongoing and there is the possibility that Prozinski could face additional charges as more police reports are reviewed by his office.

In 2006, Prozinski was convicted in separate cases in Morrison County for felony third-degree assault and felony attempted simple robbery; in 2007 he was convicted for gross misdemeanor fifth-degree assault; and in 2005 he was convicted for gross misdemeanor third-degree criminal property damage.

Prozinski also has been convicted on misdemeanor charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.