Albert Lea man charged with domestic assault, fleeing police

Published 8:24 pm Thursday, August 16, 2018

An Albert Lea man who allegedly strangled a woman and led officers on a high-speed chase of more than 100 mph on the same day has been charged with felonies in two files in Freeborn County District Court.

Michael Anthony Livingston

Michael Anthony Livingston, 31, is charged in one file with domestic assault by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic assault. In a second file, he is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

His first appearances on the files were Thursday after he was served with warrants on the two files Wednesday.

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Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Abigail Lambert said Livingston had been in custody in Winnebago County.

Court documents state Livingston was charged in the first file after Albert Lea officers were dispatched May 22 for a domestic incident.

The alleged victim said Livingston strangled her during an argument.

Court documents state later that day in Albert Lea, an officer noticed a vehicle matching the incident description. Livingston allegedly accelerated after an officer caught up to the vehicle at the intersection of Margaretha Avenue and 16th Street, increasing his speed to 70 mph while turning right on 19th Street and more than 100 mph after turning onto Freeborn County Road 18.

Those speeds allegedly continued after Livingston turned right on 125th Street.

Court documents state the chase continued into Iowa, and the vehicle allegedly traveled at speeds of more than 80 mph in Lake Mills while failing to stop for stop signs.

The chase allegedly ended after Livingston drove through a field. The car launched into the air, eventually crashing into a pond.

Livingston allegedly exited the vehicle and walked into the pond, where he was arrested.

Judge Steven Schwab set conditional bail for Livingston at $25,000. As of Thursday afternoon, Livingston was in custody.

His next appearance is scheduled for Aug. 30.

Livingston pleaded guilty to eluding officers Aug. 3 in Winnebago County District Court in connection with the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Livingston had probation violation hearings Thursday in two cases involving financial transaction card fraud and uttering or possessing counterfeit currency.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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