Plea Deal Could Send Rochester Man to Prison For 5 Years

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man accused of pointing a gun at another man's head has entered into a plea agreement that could put him in prison for five years.

Court records say Rochester police responded to a report of an assault involving a firearm in early February at a residence in southeast Rochester. The victim told officers that 45-year-old Timothy McKenzie had taken a handgun and pointed it at his head after threatening and joking about shooting him throughout the day.

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According to the criminal complaint, officers found McKenzie walking away from the residence and ordered him to stop and put his hands up. The court document says officers reported that McKenzie initially reached into his pockets before complying with their commands.

Officers then reported finding a handgun with a bullet loaded into the chamber in McKenzie's pocket.

The charging document says McKenzie told officers he had been arguing with the victim but denied pointing the gun at him. The complaint also notes that McKenzie did not have a permit to carry a firearm.

He was charged with second-degree assault, felony terroristic threats, and a gross misdemeanor count of carrying a pistol without a permit.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, McKenzie entered a guilty plea to a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and/or ammunition. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charges.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in August. The plea agreement indicates his attorney will attempt to argue for a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines, while the Olmsted County Attorney's Office will request a 60-month prison term.

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