Teen Sentenced to One Month in Jail for Gym Class Brawl

A teen from Rosemount has been convicted of felony assault for slugging a fellow student during gym.

A single stiff punch has landed 18-year-old Jeremy Alexander Johnson in the Dakota County Jail for the next 30 days.  The incident in question occurred on Nov. 20, 2012, when Rosemount Police was called to a school on report of an assault that occurred during gym class.

According to the criminal complaint, multiple witnesses saw Johnson sock another student in the face during a game of football. One witness said that Johnson hit the other boy so hard that one of his teeth flew out of his mouth.

For his part, Johnson said the victim "was annoying" him during the game. When the other boy pushed him, Johnson became angry and punched him with his right hand, using a closed fist. Officers saw small cuts on Johnson's right hand. 

The victim lost two teeth and sustained damage to his gums.

Johnson was charged with assault in the third degree, a felony that carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He pleaded guilty to the charges on April 23.

Judge Karen Asphaug sentenced him to a month in jail, starting this Sunday, with credit for two days already served. He will also face three years of supervised probation and $540 in fines and fees. In addition, Asphaug ordered him to pay the victim $2,240 in restitution.