BROWN COUNTY — A 24-year-old Sleepy Eye man originally charged with felony threats of violence and two felony harassment charges was sentenced in Brown County District Court Jan. 13.

Alexis Prieto, 405 Main St. W. Sleepy Eye, was convicted of felony threats of violence. He was sentenced to 26 days local confinement, staggered sentence, fined $1,260 and was ordered to serve 5 years supervised probation.

In addition he must successfully complete an 8-hour chemical education class within 30 days, complete a diagnostic assessment, no use of mood-altering chemicals, not use or possess firearms, ammunition or explosives, not vote or register to vote until probation discharge and provide a list of prescribed medications to probation. Two felony harassment-aggravated violations were dismissed.

According to court documents, Sleepy Eye Police got a phone call July 31, 2022 from a man who said he got threatening messages including video from Prieto. Officer Elliot Waterbury met with the man in his apartment and saw videos in which he recognized Prieto that included an assault rifle and a threatening message “when I pull up, you better have your little pocketknife” and mentioned “putting eight rounds into the victim.”

An approved search warrant was executed in New Ulm and Prieto was found inside. He was arrested for threats of violence. Prieto said he was drunk and didn’t recall sending the victim videos but admitted he legally owned the gun in the videos and recalled telling the victim he would kill him. Prieto later admitted to sending the videos.

Sleepy Eye Police Investigator Shawn Bohnen entered the residence with help from the Brown Lincoln Redwood Renville ERU (Emergency Response Unit) and found an unloaded assault rifle that was seized as evidence.