Albert Lea man sentenced to prison time, restitution on felony and misdemeanor assault charges in Mower County District Court

An Albert Lea man facing felony and misdemeanor assault charges in Mower County District Court stemming from an incident in Austin on August 14th, 2022 has been sentenced to prison time and restitution.  .

32-year-old Fortino Zarate was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison and $2,378 in restitution for a felony charge of 3rd degree assault, substantial bodily harm.  Zarate had pleaded not guilty to the charge on November 7th, 2022, and he was found guilty by a jury in Mower County District Court on June 16th of this year.  

Zarate was acquitted by the same jury on an additional felony charge of 3rd degree assault, substantial bodily harm, and he was also convicted on June 16th and sentenced Thursday to 90 days in jail on a misdemeanor charge of 5th degree assault, inflict or attempt bodily harm.  Judge Jeffery Kritzer determined that Zarate will be allowed to serve the two sentences concurrently.