PARK RAPIDS — A 58-year-old rural Park Rapids man already charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats against state lawmakers is now charged with a third.
In an amended criminal complaint filed Sunday, March 8, prosecutors now allege John Tobias threatened state Rep. Krista Knudsen, R-Lake Shore. Knudsen serves District 5A, which includes Park Rapids and portions of Becker, Cass, Hubbard and Wadena counties.
Following Tobias’ arraignment on Feb. 25, Knudsen gave a recorded statement to investigators. She said she began receiving correspondence from Tobias and his wife in 2023, and that the correspondence became increasingly hostile over time.
On Feb. 11, a person who identified themselves as John Tobias left a voicemail with Knudsen’s legislative assistant, stating in part:
"If I don't get my money back by the end of this week I'm gonna come find all of you and kill every one of you f***ers for treason, crimes against humanity, fraud, theft, ah, the list goes on and on. Every motherf***** in this government is f***ing dead when I'm f***ing through."
Tobias was initially charged following an investigation by Minnesota Capitol Police and the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 24. Investigators determined Tobias made a threatening Facebook post to Republican state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen and made a threatening phone call to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, where he threatened to “execute” everyone in the state’s Capitol buildings.
In the threats, Tobias claimed the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns were unconstitutional and cost him $1.4 million. In a search warrant of Tobias’ residence, the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office seized nine firearms and 45 boxes of ammunition.
Tobias is currently out of jail on a $150,000 bond, and his next court appearance is June 1.
-
The multi-bill omnibus signed April 21, 2026, allows happy hours for nursing home residents without a license and expands local authority in some Northern MN communities. -
The bill would define e-bikes as having output of no more than 750 watts, and motorized bicycles, 750-1,500 watts. Anything with higher power is defined as an electric motorcycle. -
Three of the communities receiving grant funding in this cycle are in Northern Minnesota: Floodwood, Fosston and Deer River. -
Lorie ShaullRising health care costs are stressing K-12 teachers whose pay is already estimated to lag similarly educated professionals by more than 30%, according to a 2025 study. -
Plus: Local and regional political organizers have been endorsing candidates for state and federal office; and a Hermantown speaker wins category while 22 other Northland speakers earned medals in state tourney. -
The bill would establish rules for field trip supervision, improve mandatory reporting to include grooming and create a new felony offense for child grooming. -
Contributed/Karina Kafka / Report for MinnesotaThe secret war began in 1961, and the Central Intelligence Agency sought out around 50,000 Hmong and Lao men to be proxy soldiers for the U.S. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe project is one of Essentia's two recent emergency department expansions in Northern Minnesota. -
Contributed/Cass County Sheriff's OfficeThe search effort for Jamie Lyle Lucas, who was last seen on July 3, 2020, coincides with his birthday. Authorities seek public assistance with the investigation. -
Contributed/Staples-Motley Speech via FacebookSpeakers from Bemidji, Cass Lake-Bena, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Walker, Laporte, Cherry, Mountain Iron-Buhl, Red Lake County, UNC, Staples-Motley and Crookston took home hardware.
