A dispute between a Golden Valley teen and a Monticello man just two blocks from the Monticello Middle School Monday caused a stir in that community, and ended with felony charges filed in Wright County District Court for the out-of-towner.
The incident unfolded around 2:27 p.m., when several Wright County Deputies and Minnesota State Patrol troopers arrived at a residence at 607 3rd St. E. in Monticello, two blocks directly west of the middle school.
Emergency callers had reported an “armed male pointing a black handgun at people,” the report states. Deputies arrived after the man, later identified as Samuel Frederic Leville, 19, Golden Valley, left the residence on a red bicycle. Callers said the man was headed on his bike toward the middle school area.
It was then, according to the criminal complaint, a Wright County Sheriff’s Office deputy tracked down the suspect, and observed the man “throw” a black handgun into the south ditch. Another deputy apprehended the male and searched Leville, finding a marijuana grinder and folding knife in his pockets. The first deputy tracked down the handgun, which was a pellet gun that looked similar to a .9 mm or .40 caliber handgun, according to the complaint.
Leville was taken into custody and booked on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon (second degree) and theft. The two charges, combined, carry sentences of more than seven years imprisonment and/or $15,000 in fines.
According to charges filed in Wright County District Court:
The incident began at the home of Earl and Susan Misner, Monticello. Earl Misner told Det. Paul Fladung that Leville, whom he referred to as “Sammy,” had spent the night. Earl Misner told Fladung he was home for the day and sleeping on the couch because he was sick. Suddenly, his dog started barking. Misner looked outside and witnessed Leville on his property.
Misner said Leville came into the residence, stating he was going to “run upstairs real quick,” however, Earl said, Leville was “not invited into the home.” It appeared to Misner that Leville was “on drugs.”
Leville came back downstairs wearing a hat that belonged to Earl Misner’s stepson, Earl told the detective. That caused Earl Misner to question Leville, asking why he was in the house and why he had taken the boy’s hat.
When questioned, Leville pulled a handgun, and point it as his own head, Misner said. When Misner told him not to shoot himself, Leville then pointed the handgun at Misner. Earl Misner told the detective he did believe Leville was going to kill him.
The two men walked out the front door, Misner with his hands up, asking the defendant not to shoot. Earl Misner walked all the way from his home to the corner, and told his stepchildren not to come home.
In a series of events, Earl’s wife, Susan, pulled up in a car driven by her stepdaughter. Earl got into the vehicle as Susan attempted to talk with Leville. As she spoke the man, she noticed the handgun stuffed in his shorts, and told her stepdaughter to “drive…NOW.” Susan told detectives she was fearful Leville would use the gun on her and/or the children in the car.
When questioned, the stepson told authorities Leville did not have permission to go into the house and/or take any property from the home.
After being arrested, detectives questioned Leville. He stated he went to the residence to return a marijuana grinder (found in his possession) and that he was given the stepson’s wallet the day prior. Leville also said that the stepson, who was in the car during the gun incident, told him to leave the house and take the red bicycle.
Leville was cited for “being in a park after hours,” a misdemeanor, in Big Lake last summer, but has no other prior arrests.