Albert Lea man sentenced to prison for threatening with knife – Albert Lea Tribune

An Albert Lea man was sentenced Monday to two years and three months in prison after reportedly threatening people with a knife in January.

Damian Javier Velazquez, 21, pleaded guilty in April to two counts of second-degree assault with a knife, causing fear of bodily harm, and one count of fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, in a separate case.

In the case involving the knife, Velazquez was initially charged with three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle. The other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Court documents state officers were called to a residence in Albert Lea on Jan. 26 after receiving a report that a woman's ex-boyfriend had broken into a residence and was threatening people with a knife.

The woman and two others told police they came to the apartment to see if Velazquez's belongings were still there. Velazquez appeared and, after grabbing a knife from the kitchen counter, allegedly threatened to cut the individuals.

One of the people told Velazquez she was going to call 911, and Velazquez left.

When police arrived, they found a window with the screen removed. The ex-girlfriend's door frame was also broken and other items from her dresser had been thrown into the trash.

Police attempted to arrest Velazquez at another home where he was staying, before he fled on foot. He was eventually found in an exit window of a nearby church.

Velazquez will receive credit for 157 days already served. He will serve his sentence at St. Cloud State Prison.

Velazquez's attorney had requested a waiver of the mandatory minimum sentence based on his client's age, lack of other convictions, suitability for probation and remorse for his actions.