An Albert Lea man was placed on probation Thursday afternoon after pleading guilty last month in connection to a strong armed robbery in September.

Aaron Alexander Atchison, 19, was sentenced for aiding and abetting simple robbery in Freeborn County District Court in front of Judge Ross Leuning.

Atchison was placed on probation for up to 10 years.

He was given a stay of imposition sentence, meaning if he successfully completes probation requirements, his charge could be reduced to a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor.

Atchison was sentenced to 90 days in jail, was given credit for 82 days served and was released.

According to Freeborn County District Court records, others involved identified Atchison, 19, as participating 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. He pleaded guilty last month by means of an Alford plea. Under an Alford plea, the defendant maintains innocence but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to convict, usually of stiffer penalties.

Corissa Jo Freeman, 19, pleaded guilty last month to aiding and abetting simple robbery.

According to court documents, the alleged victim said a juvenile had jumped him from behind. He later told Albert Lea Police 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 his backpack and threw it into the car. The second juvenile then reportedly began to kick the victim in the head. Atchison was 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, a wallet and a stolen ID in the backpack.

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

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