An Albert Lea man who allegedly stabbed another man earlier this month during an argument pleaded not guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Travis Anthony Larsen, 33, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

Court documents state Larsen was arrested after law enforcement officers were dispatched at about 5:19 a.m. April 8 to an address on Lynwood Drive. Officers received information that two people were fighting and someone was bleeding from a cut in the neck.

A sergeant performed first aid on the victim, who had sustained a severe, deep laceration to the chin area.

Larsen, who was reportedly found under a blanket in a downstairs bedroom, was identified as the suspect by a group of intoxicated people, court documents state.

Larsen reportedly told the sergeant he thought the victim had called him a derogatory word. The victim denied the claim. After insisting that the victim had called him the name, Larsen allegedly swung the knife, cutting the person’s face.

Court documents state the victim said Larsen allegedly shoved him in the chest and went into the kitchen. Larsen reportedly confronted him about calling him the derogatory word — which he denied — before cutting him in a quick slash move.

An approximately foot-long, fully-serrated knife with a black plastic handle with blood on it, allegedly used in the attack, was found on a stovetop in the residence.

A settlement conference is scheduled for May 4. A jury trial is scheduled to begin June 13, if the case has not been settled by then.

Second-degree assault with substantial bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.