An Albert Lea man pleaded not guilty Monday morning in Freeborn County District Court in connection with a stabbing last month on St. Joseph’s Avenue.

Erik Jeremy Hernandez, 39, faces a jury trial Dec. 15 on one count of second-degree assault. Hernandez allegedly stabbed a 29-year-old man in the back during an argument at 1206 St. Joseph’s Ave. Sept. 18.

Officers arrested Adam Ly Haas, 23, last month for aiding and abetting second-degree assault in connection with the alleged incident.

Haas allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation with the alleged victim and several other people over Haas parking his vehicle in front of the alleged victim’s residence. He reportedly later left the scene, then returned with Hernandez.

According to court documents, the alleged victim told police he had walked down the steps to talk to Hernandez, and Hernandez swung at him. The alleged victim said he attempted to grab Hernandez before he was cut.

A witness to the incident described the knife as 4 or 5 inches long with a black handle, according to the Freeborn County District Court complaint filed last month. The alleged victim reportedly sustained non-life threatening injuries from what was described as a “slash-like” wound, according to court records.

Hernandez and Haas reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived. Officers located and spoke with Haas after the incident but were unable to find Hernandez.

He was arrested Sept. 26 at 104 S. Ermina Ave. after police were alerted to him sleeping at the house.

Hernandez remains in custody in the Freeborn County Jail.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.

He has had 17 prior warrants since 2001.