Rochester Man Avoids Prison for Bleach Attack

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man accused of pouring bleach on his girlfriend is being given a chance to avoid prison. 29-year-old Ricky Ellis recently pleaded guilty to felony counts of threats of violence and motor vehicle theft through a plea agreement that resulted in the dismissal of 3 other charges.

Today, Ellis was given a stayed sentence of 18 months in prison and was placed on probation for the next 5 years. If he violates the terms of his probation, he may have to serve the prison time. Ellis was also given a six-month jail sentence but will only have to serve a little under 2 months because he was given credit for the time he is already spent in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center since his arrest in January.

The criminal complaint against Ellis alleges he and his girlfriend were fighting when he began hitting her and at one point held her to the ground and poured bleach all over her body. She told police she managed to get away from Ellis and showered off the chemical. Some of the bleach got into her eyes but she was not seriously injured. The charges also alleged Ellis threatened her with a knife before leaving her residence.

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