Rockwell man arrested in Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties sentenced in Cerro Gordo

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Rockwell man who pleaded guilty to counts of second-degree theft and eluding in Floyd County and to eluding and driving while barred in Cerro Gordo County has been sentenced in Cerro Gordo County to suspended consecutive prison terms of up to seven years and probation.

Blake Dale Braun, age 27, pleaded guilty last month in Cerro Gordo County District Court to eluding, a Class D felony, and driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor, from charges in August this year.

He was sentenced last Thursday in Cerro Gordo County to serve up to five years in prison on the eluding charge and up to two years on the driving while barred charge, with those sentences to be served consecutively and consecutive to sentences in any other cases.

The prison terms were suspended and Braun was ordered to serve five years probation on the eluding charge and two years on the driving while barred charge.

He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,025 plus 15% surtax, suspended, and a fine of $855 plus 15% surtax, imposed.

Braun was also ordered to reside at a residential correctional facility for 180 days or until maximum benefits are achieved, and to remain under custody of the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office until bed space is available.

Braun was arrested Nov. 13 in Floyd County after allegedly failing to stop for a state trooper for speeding through a construction zone. He was charged with second-degree theft for allegedly stealing the motorcycle he was driving, a Class D felony; eluding, speed over 25 mph over the limit, also a Class D felony; and driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Braun pleaded guilty in December to the second-degree theft charge and the eluding charge in Floyd County District Court. The plea agreement calls for the Floyd County Attorney’s Office to recommend a prison term up to five years, suspended, on each count; a fine of $1,025 plus 15% surcharge on each count, suspended; completion of a residential correctional facility and follow-through with any recommendations; and other fees and surcharges.

The misdemeanor driving while barred count would be dismissed.

Sentencing in Floyd County has been set for Feb. 23.