Prosecutors say a late‑night confrontation in a White Bear Lake basement turned terrifying when a woman was choked unconscious and threatened with death. The suspect, 32‑year‑old Savon Lamonte Brown, now faces multiple felony charges and is being held on bail after an initial court appearance.
According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to the 1900 block of Eugene Street around 1 a.m. on March 14 after a 911 caller said, "Please don't call back, just send emergency services," then hung up. Moments later, the woman reportedly ran to responding officers and told them, "He choked me," as detailed by MN CRIME. Investigators allege Brown strangled her until she lost consciousness, choked her again after she came to, and repeatedly threatened to kill her, telling her the basement "would be the last thing you see." The complaint also reportedly cites surveillance video from inside a bedroom that shows Brown choking the victim. Court records referenced by MN CRIME say Brown has prior domestic‑violence convictions and multiple felony convictions, and that he had been released from prison on Sept. 10, 2025, while on intensive supervised release. His bail is set at $75,000, with his next hearing scheduled for March 25, according to the report.
Inside the Complaint and the Video
The complaint quotes the woman saying Brown "choked me out until I stopped breathing" and describes a second choking episode during which she lost control of her bowels, per MN CRIME. It also states that after the first incident, Brown performed CPR and told her, "I'm God! I brought you back from the dead." The filing adds that family members eventually persuaded Brown to leave the home and surrender to police.
Legal Context and Possible Penalties
Prosecutors have filed charges that carry felony‑level penalties under Minnesota law. Threats of violence can be charged as a felony with potential sentences of up to five years, and domestic assault offenses increase in severity when a defendant has prior convictions. Domestic assault by strangulation is treated as a separate felony that can carry up to three years in prison, while felony domestic assault may be punishable by up to five years, depending on prior offenses and aggravating factors. The case will proceed under Minnesota's criminal code and will rely heavily on the complaint and the bedroom surveillance video. For the specific statutes cited, see Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609.
What Happens Next
Brown is scheduled to return to court on March 25. If he posts bail, he is under a no‑contact order with the victim. The Washington County District Court will oversee pretrial motions and evidence exchange while prosecutors review the complaint and surveillance footage. They will decide whether to pursue an indictment or seek to resolve the case before it reaches trial.
If You Need Help
Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. For survivors of domestic violence in Minnesota, resources include Day One and the statewide crisis line at 1‑866‑223‑1111, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 for 24/7 help and referrals.
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