Rochester man pleads guilty in Byron assault case

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man pleaded guilty to domestic assault in a knife attack case Tuesday, April 16.

Lee Stellmaker, 52, was accused of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic assault–intentionally inflicts bodily harm in August of 2023, after Byron woman told law enforcement he had cut her with a knife.

Stellmaker pleaded guilty to the charge of domestic assault Tuesday, during a scheduled pretrial hearing, and claimed in the court documents he had actually cut the woman with a serrated pie cutter.

Stellmaker’s plea agreement states that Olmsted County Court will not consider the domestic assault a violation of his probation for a previous domestic violence case.

Stellmaker was immediately sentenced to an additional year of probation and a $100 fine.

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(ABC 6 News) – A Byron man faces assault charges after an alleged knife attack Saturday.

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of 8th Street NE, Byron, at about 6 p.m. Aug. 19, after a woman told dispatch she’d been assaulted.

According to Capt. Tim Parkin, as deputies arrived, they found the 50-year-old woman in front of the property, holding her right arm, which had a 2.5-inch laceration.

She told deputies Lee Stellmaker, 51, had cut her with the knife during a fight.

Deputies made contact with Stellmaker inside the home and arrested him.

Parkin said deputies reported finding blood droplets on Stellmaker’s clothing and a knife they believe was used in the attack.

Stellmaker invoked his right to remain silent, but allegedly blew a 0.28 preliminary breath test at the Adult Detention Center, according to the OCSO.

Parkin said the OCSO recommended a charge of 2nd-degree assault with a deadly weapon.