Rochester Man Faces Prison in Burglary Plea Deal

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man is facing a recommended prison sentence after entering into a plea agreement in a case involving a residential burglary in 2023.

Started With Report of Suspicious Person

The criminal complaint says Rochester police responded to a report of a suspicious person wearing a blanket in the 1900 block of 18th Street Northwest on December 18, 2023. Responding officers spoke with a man who reported seeing an individual open his mailbox after he refused the stranger's request for a ride.

The court document says the subject of the suspicious person report was later identified as 32-year-old Travers Davel McDaniel. The initial caller also told police he later saw McDaniel enter a neighboring residence.

Report of Residential Burglary

According to the charges, officers reviewed video recorded by security cameras in the area that showed McDaniel opening and removing items from the caller’s mailbox. The criminal complaint also says officers later responded to a report of a burglary and mail theft in the same area and apprehended McDaniel after he attempted to flee on foot.

The court document says McDaniel was found in possession of a driver’s license, Social Security card, keys, and lottery tickets belonging to the resident of the home he was seen entering. It was also learned that McDaniel had a trespass order prohibiting him from entering the home.

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Charges and Plea Agreement

He was charged with felony counts of second-degree burglary and mail theft, along with misdemeanor counts of theft and trespassing. Under a plea agreement recently filed in Olmsted County Court, McDaniel stated he would enter a guilty plea to the burglary charge in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges and a felony drug possession charge in an unrelated case.

Criminal History

Court records show his criminal history includes previous felony convictions for domestic assault, harassment, drug possession, illegal possession of a firearm, and attempting to escape from custody.

McDaniel is scheduled to be sentenced in May. The plea agreement recommends a 36-month prison sentence.