A Rochester man pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting simple robbery Thursday afternoon in Freeborn County District Court in connection with a September strong-armed robbery in Albert Lea.

Aaron Alexander Atchison’s plea, classified as an Alford plea, came in front of Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning.

Under an Alford plea, the defendant maintains innocence but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to convict, usually of stiffer penalties.

According to Freeborn County District Court records, others involved identified Atchison, 19, as having participated in the Sept. 17 incident at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Front Street. He was reportedly in the back passenger seat on the driver’s side of the vehicle the alleged assailants were riding in.

Atchison was originally charged with aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 10.

Atchison faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $20,000 fine. Under sentencing guidelines, he faces a recommended 18-month stayed sentence for a period of probation of up to 10 years, according to Assistant Freeborn County Attorney David Walker.

Corissa Jo Freeman, 19, the alleged driver of the vehicle used to flee the scene, has been charged with aiding and abetting first-degree robbery.

She faces a plea hearing Nov. 23 and a jury trial Dec. 29.

Freeman pleaded not guilty Oct. 1.

Two juveniles are also facing charges in juvenile court.

According to court documents, the alleged victim said a juvenile had jumped him from behind. He later told Albert Lea Police Department Detective Ben Mortensen that the juvenile ran behind him, punched him in the head and tackled him to the ground. The juvenile then reportedly took his backpack. The alleged victim said he then pursued the juvenile and tackled him in an effort to get his backpack.

A second juvenile reportedly got out of a blue Mini Cooper, grabbed the backpack and threw it into the car. The second juvenile then reportedly began to kick the victim in the head. Atchison is also accused of assaulting the victim.

The alleged victim’s backpack was turned in by a passerby. The backpack was reportedly empty. The alleged victim told police he had cash, clothing, a wallet and a student ID in the backpack.

The alleged victim, a 17-year-old Albert Lea boy, was taken on a backboard to the emergency room.

Freeman reportedly dropped off her three passengers at Burger King, according to court records.