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Albert Lea, Minnesota — April 20, 2026

A Freeborn County District Court judge has granted a harassment restraining order (HRO) against Jeffrey Robert Brinkman in favor of the Petitioner following hearings in district court. The order remains in effect unless modified by the court.

According to court records, the court found “reasonable grounds” to believe Brinkman engaged in harassment that had, or was intended to have, a substantial adverse effect on the Petitioner’s safety, security, or privacy.

The court cited social media activity as a central issue, including “posted on social media disparaging unsupported claims designed to manufacture public anger against Petitioner” as part of its findings.

Under the order, Brinkman is prohibited from contacting the Petitioner, harassing or threatening them, or using social media to disparage them or encourage others to do so. He is also barred from coming within 1,000 feet of the Petitioner’s residence and specified workplaces.

Court documents warn that violations of the HRO may result in criminal penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony prosecution, depending on the circumstances.

An Alleged Murder Attempt Uncovered.

The Petitioner testified regarding a disturbing incident where Brinkman’s son, employees, and family friends allegedly assaulted the Petitioner.

“I have PTSD about that diagnosed by a therapist. November 23rd, we had got back from the Bakery Lounge in Austin, Minnesota. My friends and I were at my neighbor’s house across the street when your gang affiliates sent us a text inviting us to a house party. I say we should not go because I’m afraid what might happen and that if we go, I’m going to record everything.”

“We end up showing up. We walk into Kenzi Steinbrink’s home. We were greeted by Brandon Cotter; we are greeted by Dan Larson, Riley Grinstead, Jordan Swanson, Kenzie Trimble was there. Noah Grinstead is there. Noah Grinstead stays out of it, but Brandon Cotter, Riley Grinstead actually start surrounding me. They start basically poking at me, trying to poke the bear, trying to get me to be provoked and act against them. I, in fact, in this video recording — two of them — I do not say a single word. They keep trying to poke the bear and assault me and try to get to me to make the first move. I say nothing. I maintain my stature and, eventually, we leave.”

Brinkman never denied or defended against these allegations. Notably, we have previously reported on the videos of this alleged assault in another article. What we witnessed was deeply disturbing.

At one point during the hearing, the Petitioner alleged Brinkman tried to coerce $2,000 from him and his employer. Brinkman, did not deny the claims; instead, Brinkman corrected him by noting it was actually $4,000.

Petitioner: “You asked for at least $2,000 from my employer.”

Jeffrey Brinkman: “I believe it was 4,000.”

Petitioner: “Oh. Okay.”

Below are the Court File numbers of the Harassment Restraining Orders that Petitioner and his employer obtained against Jeffery Brinkman stemming from that incident. We’ve also listed a recent legal dilemma initiated by Brinkman that ended in him paying over $30,000 to the other parties involved.

• 50-CV-18-1795 – Where Judge Siefkan found that Jeffrey Brinkman threatened to publish records about Schlichter unless Brinkman received payment from Schlichter’s employer.
• 50-CV-18-1788 – Bennet, who was Schlichter’s employer, also received a harassment restraining order against Jeffrey Brinkman. Judge Siefkan found that Brinkman was obsessed with the notion that Bennett was a homosexual.
• 27-CV-24-13993 – Jeffrey Brinkman filed a personal injury lawsuit in Hennepin County against Weber, Fatehi, Schroeder, Crested River Cannabis Company, and the MN is Ready Action non-profit. Judge Browne ruled against Jeffrey Brinkman following the Defendant’s special motion to dismiss pursuant to MINN. STAT. § 554.09. This motion grants relief under the state’s anti-SLAPP laws. Brinkman was ordered to pay the defendants over $30,000 in legal fees.

Above: The Court’s findings.

Living in Constant Fear.

The Petitioner went on to testify about their emotional state.

“Honestly, I’m on the verge of tears right now. I’m trying to fight them back. It’s — it’s been one of the most depressing, horrifying experiences of my entire life, having someone DARVO me. I don’t — I’m — I’m terrified to go outside.”

“I’ve been working with my therapist on what to do if someone shows up at my house with a gun; I’ve been — I don’t go outside unless I’m with my — my dad right there or with my partner. I, like — I — I’m terrified to even get groceries. I don’t want to be anywhere near these people.”

“I have cut off any mutual friends. I’ve deleted my social media accounts.”

It is the opinion of this outlet that the repeated terrorization of a person of color, whom Brinkman doesn’t even know, is nothing short of racist.  That trying to extort the Petitioner and his employer for money is objectively wrong. That interfering with Petitioner’s business operations is bullying. Additionally, Brinkman’s children have participated in these attacks against the petitinoer. We recently wrote about his daughter, Abbigail Brinkman, and her dismissed civil and criminal complaints against the Petitioner. It is the opinion of the outlet that filing a false police report against anyone is wrong, but to do so against a person of color is a racially charged hate crime.

This latest order represents another development in an ever-growing list of court rulings against Austin businessman Jeffrey Brinkman. 

This article is an opinion piece. We obtained the court ruling and transcripts as part of our research for this article. Contact us to make a comment, request retractions, or otherwise voice your support.