An inmate in the Freeborn County jail faces charges for allegedly throwing boiling water on another inmate’s face last month.

He is slated to appear in Freeborn County District Court today on the charges.

The victim reportedly suffered a major burn injury on the right side of his neck, the right side of his face, and the front, top and back of his right shoulder.

Freeborn County District Court documents state Patricio Galvan, 39, reportedly heated up 20 ounces of water in the microwave for three minutes and then approached an inmate from behind — who was seated watching television in the common area in the jail. Galvan then threw the boiling water on the inmate’s face and then punched him several times in the face, according to court records.

Deputies heard yelling in the common area of the jail and responded in time to find the two men, who appeared to be squaring off as though they were going to fight.

They found the victim wet and bleeding with a cut under his right eye. He had not been able to strike a blow in response before deputies intervened.

Jail video revealed the details of the incident, which took place at about 3:15 p.m. Sept. 30. Galvan, who is from Albert Lea, was in jail on assault charges.

Court records state the victim’s son was slated to testify against Galvan in an upcoming court hearing, and Galvan had been trying to convince the man to persuade his son to do otherwise.

During an interview with deputies, Galvan reportedly admitted that he had received a witness list naming the victim’s son as a witness in the case and that he had tried to talk to the victim about it.

Galvan said things didn’t go well and said the victim allegedly threatened to harm him.

In a separate interview, Galvan told deputies the victim’s son had totaled his car some time ago and caused problems for him, court files state.

Galvan faces one count or aggravated first-degree witness tampering, one count of first-degree assault and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon as a result of the jail incident.

He is being held in the jail on a $200,000 unconditional bond.