An Albert Lea man who allegedly threatened a woman in June pleaded guilty to felony domestic assault Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Joseph Alan Roberts, 25, faces sentencing March 2.

Roberts was charged after an Albert Lea lieutenant and officer were dispatched June 29 to an address in Albert Lea on a report of an assault involving a knife.

The victim reportedly told the lieutenant that Roberts threw her on the ground, holding her by the hair. She said Roberts held a 5-inch folding knife to her throat and threatened to kill her.

A small cut was observed on her left wrist, court documents state.

The victim was reportedly Roberts’ girlfriend for approximately 11 months.

Two witnesses provided descriptions of the incident to police.

All four tires on the victim’s vehicle were reported flat with puncture holes in the side walls.

Roberts was arrested by police June 30 at an Albert Lea residence. He reportedly told an officer that he had gone to the residence because he thought the alleged victim had taken his children. Court documents state that he admitted to cutting the tires on her vehicle, blacked out and woke up in a field. He initially denied knowing anything about an assault.

Roberts said after the incident that he had mental health issues and has a history of using methamphetamine, but he denied using meth in the last few days prior to the alleged incident.

Felony domestic assault carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Paige Starkey said she expects Roberts to be placed on probation based on his criminal history score.

Roberts was originally also charged with second-degree assault, threats of violence and third-degree criminal damage to property. Those counts are planned to be dismissed at sentencing, according to the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.