An Albert Lea man charged after he was found walking on Interstate 90 in 2016 with more than 16 grams of methamphetamine was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison Monday in Freeborn County District Court. 

Manuel Velez Jr., 30, was given credit for 243 days served. He is expected to serve at least four years, with approximately two years of supervised release.

He will serve his sentence at Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He was sentenced after pleading guilty in August 2016 to second-degree meth possession.

According to court documents, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call for assistance at 3:25 a.m. Feb. 24, 2016, regarding a person walking on I-90 in eastern Freeborn County.

Upon arrival, the deputies reportedly found Velez walking west on the interstate. After a deputy asked what his name was and Velez responded, he was arrested on a warrant.

Deputies found a baggie with a white crystal substance in his left jacket pocket, which reportedly later tested positive as meth and weighed approximately 16.4 grams.

In arguing for a departure from the pre-sentence investigation-recommended 6 1/2-year prison sentence, defense lawyer Grant Sanders said Velez was amenable to probation, as evidenced by him completing a six-month treatment course. He said Velez has a solid support structure, as evidenced by family members and people who have participated in Bible study with him attending Velez’s sentencing hearing.

In testimony prior to sentencing, Velez called church “my No. 1 thing,” and his only source of peace. He said if he was placed on probation, he had a couple job opportunities. 

Velez listed his accomplishments since pleading guilty, including participating in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous sessions and Bible studies. He reportedly played a leading role in Bible studies while in jail.

Velez became emotional when he recalled his reaction to seeing a video of himself being arrested.

“When I saw that video, I saw that I had a problem,” he said, adding he was “really, really lost.”

“It’s a miracle that I’m here today,” he said. “It’s a blessing.”

In arguing for Velez to receive 6 1/2 years in prison, Freeborn County Attorney David Walker said Velez failed to appear for three sentencing hearings, with a fourth sentencing hearing having to be delayed because Velez had not completed the pre-sentence investigation.

He said Velez’s failures to appear for sentencing hearings was a sign he would not be amenable to probation.

Velez said failing to appear for sentencings did not take away from the progress he showed after pleading guilty.

Gloria Cervantes, who has participated in Bible study sessions with Velez, testified he should have a second chance to prove himself and said he would have to follow the laws of the government and God.

In issuing the sentence, Judge Ross Leuning said though Velez successfully completed treatment, Velez’s failure to appear for sentencings and complete the pre-sentence investigation meant he failed to meet the “substantial and compelling” standard needed to justify a departure from the presumptive sentence.

In separate files, Velez was charged with fifth-degree assault and two counts of disorderly conduct, but those charges were dismissed.