An Albert Lea man charged with striking his girlfriend with a knife in January pleaded guilty Friday in Freeborn County District Court to second-degree assault.

 

Javier Manuel Rodriguez, 30, pleaded guilty in front of District Court Judge Ross Leuning as part of a plea agreement.

He was originally also charged with third-degree assault, felony domestic assault and felony violation of an order for protection.

According to court documents, an officer was dispatched to a residence in Albert Lea Jan.11 on a report of a domestic assault. Upon arriving, the officer spoke to the alleged victim who claimed Rodriguez had assaulted her two days prior.

She reportedly had bruising on both of her eyes and an abrasion near her left eye, and claimed the abrasion was caused when Rodriguez hit her in the face with a kitchen knife. According to court documents, she claimed the injuries were a result of being beaten, head-butted and slashed in the face with the knife.

Rodriguez claimed Friday he did not remember striking her in the face with the knife, noting he was drunk and in a rage at the time of the incident.

Under the plea agreement, Rodriguez faces a presumptive sentence of more than four years in prison, with credit for time served. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.