Albert Lea man pleads guilty to terroristic threats; expected to get probation

Published 9:16 pm Thursday, July 19, 2018

An Albert Lea man who reportedly threatened another person at gunpoint June 2 pleaded guilty to felony terroristic threats Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Michael Ray Sanders Jr.

Sentencing for Michael Ray Sanders Jr., 45, is scheduled for Aug. 22.

Court documents state Sanders was charged after officers spoke to the victim, who said Sanders assaulted him. Sanders reportedly became angry after the person told him he could not use his phone, swore at him when he asked what Sanders was going to do with the hammer in his back pocket, and pulled out a gun, putting it in the victim’s mouth, which knocked a tooth out.

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Sanders reportedly threatened to shoot the victim multiple times and took a necklace and $150 from him, court documents state.

Sanders contradicted the victim’s story on Thursday and said he threatened to kill the victim after the victim used a racial slur against him. He denied pointing a gun in his mouth.

Sanders is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and third-degree assault, but those charges are expected to be dismissed at sentencing.

He is expected to be placed on probation.

 

See what happened last night in the PM report here.

About Sam Wilmes

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

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