A plea bargain has been offered to a Blue Earth Area elementary school teacher charged with misdemeanor domestic assault.
Winnebago City Attorney David Frundt says a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, was continued to Aug. 1 at his request and Steven Wood’s attorney, Thomas Hagen.
“I have made an offer to settle the case and Mr. Wood and his attorney needed more time to research some issues and decide what to do at this point,” Frundt says.
In deciding to offer a settlement, Frundt says he analyzed facts and evidence in the case and also received input from the victim.
“It is my job to determine an outcome that is in the best interests of justice for the people first, the victim of a crime second and the defendant last,” he adds.
Misdemeanor domestic assault is defined as a person commits acts with intent to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death. The maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The 31-year-old Wood, according to court documents, was arrested the night of May 16 at his home in Winnebago.
While there is no police incident report on public file, a citation ticket issued to Wood shows an officer was called to his residence around 10:39 p.m.
Police Chief Eric Olson says the officer was responding to a 911 call.
Superintendent Evan Gough has said in the past that the school district is aware of a complaint involving Wood and an investigation is being conducted.
Gough will not comment on Wood’s current employment status or if he was allowed to continue teaching following the incident.
The School District’s website says Wood has been at BEA for at least five years and is currently teaching third grade.