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A rural Albert Lea man charged after a reported altercation in April south of Albert Lea pleaded guilty Wednesday in Freeborn County District Court to a misdemeanor tied to the case.

Russell Edward Sorum, 63, initially faced one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of fifth-degree assault and one count of dangerous weapons-intentionally pointing a gun, but on Wednesday he pleaded guilty to the sole charge of intentionally pointing a gun at another person in exchange for the remaining two counts being dismissed.

Sorum said on April 21 on the gravel road that he lives on, another person was threatening his son and his son’s girlfriend. Sorum said he showed the man his 9mm handgun and shot at the ground in his general direction.

The court complaint stated authorities were called to the area, near 750th Avenue and 160th Street south of Albert Lea, for a report of shots fired in the roadway. The other person told deputies the argument was about drugs he had paid for but not received.

In addition to Sorum pointing a gun and shooting into the roadway, the other person also alleged that at one point Sorum lunged at him and struck him with his pistol, causing a cut.

As part of the plea agreement in the case, Sorum’s lawyer, Peggy Rockow, stated her client agreed to provide a statement to a detective about the situation and to testify about those events if called on to do so in subsidiary files tied to the incident.

Judge Christy Hormann ordered Sorum complete a presentence investigation before sentencing, which will take place Oct. 17.

Rockow asked for an expedited presentence investigation as Sorum’s employment has been affected by the case. She noted her client has zero criminal history, and because of this she did not anticipate the investigation to take long. She said the sooner he can get that done, the sooner he can get back to work.

Another individual in the case, Chase Ryan Kent, was convicted of a harassment restraining order violation.