An Albert Lea man charged after reportedly possessing a folding knife in August 2016 at the Freeborn County Courthouse was convicted Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Alex Cortez Jr., 23, was convicted of possessing a dangerous weapon in a courthouse complex after a two-day jury trial. 

Court documents state Cortez was charged after law enforcement responded to a report of a verbal altercation outside of a courtroom at the courthouse Aug. 24, 2016.

A deputy reportedly removed a black, approximately 9-inch folding knife with an approximately 4-inch long titanium blade from Cortez’s pocket.

Cortez reportedly came to the courthouse at the request of a man to “have his back if anything happened,” in connection with a hearing in a case in which someone he knew was charged, court documents state.

Cortez originally said he puts his pocket knife in his pocket in the morning when he gets dressed and denied allegations he threatened someone at the courthouse.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 3.