Richfield Man Faces Two Felonies for Violating Protection Order

A Richfield man was charged with two counts of violating a domestic abuse protection order after police say he repeatedly contacted his ex-wife via text message and Twitter.

Charles Phillip Langeness, 35, faces two felony charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Langeness—who was convicted of domestic assault in 2001 and 2003—was the subject of a protection order issued and served on him on Aug. 22, 2011.

His ex-wife sought the order after telling authorities that he had committed "acts of domestic abuse" in July and August.

On Aug. 30, the victim—with whom Langeness has children—reported that Langeness had sent text messages to her cell phone in violation of the protection order.

One of the victim’s friends reported that Langeness also sent her a message Aug. 30, asking her to play a song for the victim and to tell the victim that the song made him cry.

Langeness was taken into custody Aug. 31, appeared in court Sept. 1, was released on his promise to make all court appearances and was reminded not to have any contact with the victim.

However, on Sept. 9, the victim told authorities that she had received three Twitter messages from Langeness the night before while she was at bars in Hampton and Cannon Falls with friends. One message said, “I love you” and another one said, “Call me.”

One of the victim’s friends received a message just before midnight Sept. 8 that Langeness was at the Hampton bar, showing the victim’s photo and asking if anyone had seen her.

Langeness was taken into custody again on Sept. 9 and appeared in court Sept. 12, where he was told again not to have any contact with the victim and to stay out of a five-block area around her home. The same day, a judge issued an order allowing curbside pick-up of the couple’s children at the victim’s home.

The earlier minor charges of violating a protection order were dismissed on Sept. 14 and a formal complaint was filed, taking into account Langeness’ previous domestic violence-related convictions.

He was released from the Dakota County Jail Friday on a $3,000 bond after being taken into custody again on Sept. 15. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for Dec. 5 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.