Sarah Stultz, Albert Lea Tribune, Minn. –
A Freeborn County District Court judge on Tuesday sentenced an Albert Lea man to 5 1/2 years in prison for throwing boiling water into another inmate’s face last September.
The man, Patricio Galvan, 39, must spend two-thirds of that time in prison and then the remaining one-third can be spent on supervised release. He will get credit for 109 days already spent in the Freeborn County jail.
Galvan in December pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon as part of a plea agreement with his lawyer and the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office. Charges of aggravated first-degree witness tampering and first-degree assault were dismissed.
According to court documents, Galvan threw 20 ounces of hot water into the face of another inmate and then punched him several times in the face on Sept. 30 while in the common area.
The incident was reportedly captured on a video camera.
Galvan was in jail in the first place because of a separate assault case, and the victim’s son was slated to testify against Galvan in that case.
Court documents state Galvan admitted he tried to convince the victim to persuade his son not to testify, but Galvan said things didn’t go his way and claimed the victim threatened to harm him. After that, he threw the water.
The victim suffered burns to his neck, face and shoulder.
The victim is now complaining of hearing loss and problems with his vision.
Freeborn County District Judge Ross Leuning also ordered that Galvan pay a fine of $50 and court costs of $80. The issue of restitution will remain open until the end of the sentence.
The original assault charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
