In a troubling case at St. Catherine University, Keanu Avery Labatte, 20, from Granite Falls, Minnesota, has entered a plea deal following accusations of serious crimes against his girlfriend.
This plea deal will likely result in Labatte serving up to seven-and-a-half years in prison for second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Labatte admitted to assaulting his girlfriend in her dorm room, involving choking and sexual assault.
The incident occurred last September, leading to a legal process that saw other charges against Labatte dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.
His attorney, Thomas Beito, emphasized that while Labatte admitted to certain aspects of the assault, such as choking, he denied more extreme allegations like waterboarding or kidnapping.
Labatte is currently free on an $80,000 bond, awaiting sentencing scheduled for November.
Arguments and Sentencing Prospects
Beito plans to argue for probation, citing Labatte’s young age and lack of significant prior criminal history.
In contrast, prosecutors from the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office intend to push for the maximum sentence of seven-and-a-half years, emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed.
The Alleged Assault Incident
According to reports, Labatte visited the campus to confront his girlfriend after discovering upsetting content on her phone and social media.
The situation escalated into a violent encounter where Labatte allegedly strangled her, threatened her life, and subjected her to various forms of abuse over several days, including threats with a knife and instances of waterboarding.
Discovery and Reporting
The victim eventually managed to leave the dorm, seek help from campus security, and report the abuse to the police.
Officers noted physical marks corroborating her account of the assault.
Labatte was subsequently arrested after police found incriminating items in his possession, including a knife and a wet washcloth.
Conclusion
The case has highlighted serious safety concerns and legal consequences surrounding intimate partner violence on college campuses, prompting discussions about campus security and support systems for victims of abuse.