Taser Incident in Rochester Results in Probation
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A man from northwestern Minnesota has been sentenced to two years on probation for confronting another man with a Taser during an incident at a Rochester Park last summer.
46-year-old Jason Laske of Vergas entered into a plea agreement in Olmsted County Court on Monday by admitting to a gross misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon. He was originally charged with a felony count involving the possession of a stun gun.
Laske was arrested in June after police were contacted by a 49-year-old Rochester man, who told officers he had gone into Bear Creek at Slatterly Park to retrieve Frisbees that were thrown into the water by people playing the park’s Frisbee golf course. While he was in the water, Laske came to the edge of the creek and began yelling and cursing at the man. On two occasions, Laske allegedly threatened the man with a Taser when he tried to get out of the water.
After the second confrontation, the victim told the police Laske continued yelling at him for a time before leaving the area, which allowed him to finally exit the creek and call 911.