Man Pleads Guilty One Year After Rochester Shooting

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A man accused of a drive-by shooting in Rochester a year ago today pleaded guilty in Olmsted County Court.

Trial Was Scheduled For Next Week

Thirty-five-year-old Jhovani Soto was charged with a felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm, along with gross misdemeanor charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol, as well as gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor DWI charges. Under the terms of a plea agreement with Olmsted County prosecutors, Soto today admitted to the felony charge and gross misdemeanor DWI. His trial was scheduled to begin next Monday.

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Witnesses Describe Gunfire and Reckless Driving

According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police responded to a report of a shooting in the 4400 block of Manor View Drive Northwest on the night of May 28, 2025. The court document says the responding officer spoke with multiple witnesses who reported hearing two volleys of gunfire before a silver pickup truck sped away without its headlights on. One witness reported that the first volley of gunfire involved five gunshots and was followed by two more shots.

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The witnesses also told police that the person behind the wheel of the pickup was driving recklessly and nearly hit a street sign while leaving the area. A home surveillance camera video showed the vehicle entering the area where the shooting occurred and then speeding away with its lights off.

Police Locate Suspect Near Shooting Scene

According to the charges, police officers located the vehicle parked a few blocks away and observed Soto exiting it and walking away. The criminal complaint indicates that, as the officers were pursuing him, Soto attempted to climb under the deck at his residence.

Andy Brownell - TSM Rochester

Firearm and Shell Casings Found in Pickup Truck

The arresting officers stated that they detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Soto and found an empty bottle of alcohol inside the pickup truck. The criminal complaint also says that a 9 mm handgun and four 9 mm shell casings were found in the vehicle.

No Prison Time

According to court documents, Soto is not expected to face a prison sentence. His petition to plead guilty indicates that prosecutors will recommend a 90-day jail sentence if a presentence investigation determines his criminal history score is zero. If it is determined that he has additional criminal history points, the prosecution will recommend adding another 30 days in jail for each criminal history point.

Olmsted County ADC photo

Soto is scheduled to be sentenced in September. He is currently free on $2,000 bail.

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Minnesota’s ‘Mushroom House’ aka ‘Flintstone House’ Is Now For Sale

Welcome to 1401 Mississippi Ave — known around Duluth for more than fifty years as "The Mushroom House" or "The Flinstone House."

The 5-bedroom, 3-bath house was built in 1970 using an innovative foam-shell construction method. The home's triple-dome design creates curved walls, soaring dome ceilings, and spaces that feel more sculpted than built.

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In 2021, new epoxy flooring was installed throughout the primary bedroom and lower-level family room, new carpet went into the lower-level bedrooms and upper office, the sewer lateral was replaced, and a full-house dehumidifier and whole-home ozone air scrubber were added.

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Gallery Credit: Alicia Lokke with The Lokke Group at Messina & Associates Real Estate