WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — An Abbotsford man accused of stabbing an acquaintance over an outstanding debt has avoided prison time as part of a plea deal.
Leovigildo Cruz Hernandez was handed a 15-year probation sentence on Thursday after pleading no contest to an amended charge of reckless injury by use of a dangerous weapon. Terms of his sentence include no contact with the victim, absolute sobriety from drugs and alcohol, and no contact with establishments that sell alcohol such as bars, taverns, or liquor stores.
Hernandez was originally facing charges of attempted homicide in the case, which could have sent him to prison for up to 60 years.
The 19-year-old is accused of stabbing another man multiple times outside Perla’s Place Bar in Unity. The two men knew each other because they came from the same town in Mexico.
Investigators say the victim had borrowed money from Hernandez but hadn’t paid the entirety of the loan back. The victim was found bleeding from the stomach and was rushed to Marshfield Medical Center. Investigators also found the knife in the parking lot of the tavern.
The case had been scheduled for trial later this spring. Thursday’s plea deal took that off the calendar
Hernandez’s sentence has been withheld, meaning he will stay out of prison as long as he follows the terms of his probation. Court records indicate that no restitution has been requested.
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