Man who had knife in courthouse charged with felony
Published 12:14 am Friday, April 7, 2017
A Minneapolis man who allegedly possessed a knife Monday in the Freeborn County Courthouse was charged with a felony Tuesday in Freeborn County District Court.
Joseph Allen Deleon, 28, is charged with possessing a weapon in a courthouse complex.
Court documents state Deleon was charged after an Albert Lea officer made contact with him at court services in connection with a probation violation after being advised Deleon had tested positive for methamphetamine and needed to be taken into custody. Deleon allegedly said he had a blade in his possession, and a black and red knife with a 4-inch long curved blade was removed from his left-back pants pocket.
Court documents state though Deleon said he did not know that it was illegal for him to carry the knife in the courthouse, the officer noted that entrances to the building have signs that note knives are banned in the building.
District Court Judge Ross Leuning set unconditional bail for Deleon at $3,000 on Tuesday.
Deleon’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Possessing a weapon in a courthouse complex carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.