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  • Raymond Edward Mager Jr.

    Mager

December 22, 2010

Probation likely for Walmart driver

By Dan Nienaber The Free Press

MANKATO — A man who almost hit a sheriff before ramming his car into Mankato’s Walmart in March will likely be placed on probation when he is sentenced in February.

After two psychological evaluations, the charges prosecutors could pursue against 47-year-old Raymond Edward Mager Jr. were limited, said Michael Hanson, assistant Blue Earth County attorney.

Mager pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon Monday. Several other felony charges, including use of deadly force against a peace officer, were dismissed in exchange for the plea.

Mager drove his car into Walmart grocery section while being pursued by Blue Earth County Sheriff Brad Peterson. Once inside the store, Mager pointed a pellet gun at employees and customers before sheriff’s deputies and police officers were able to arrest him.

“Law enforcement showed incredible restraint,” Hanson said. “I think they did an excellent job of defusing a dangerous situation.”

Peterson was on his way to work and responding to a 6:30 a.m. report of a hit-and-run driver outside the city limits. He started pursuing Mager near the area where the crash had occurred and followed him to Walmart. Peterson got out of his vehicle after initially stopping Mager in the parking lot. He was almost hit when Mager backed toward him, the criminal complaint said.

Mager then drove through the doors of the store and stopped in the freezer section. The incident drew national attention.

Mager’s attorney, Scott Cutcher, requested a psychological evaluation to see if Mager was able to understand what he was doing at the time. The person who evaluated Mager found Mager didn’t get the medication he needed before he was released from a Willmar facility, which resulted in a “manic incident,” Cutcher said.

Hanson requested a second evaluation. That evaluation found Mager understood some of what he was doing, but not everything. So Hanson was limited to pursuing only some of the charges, which led to the plea agreement.

“I don’t want to diminish the seriousness of what he did but, because of the (evaluation), we were limited with the prosecution,” Hanson said.

Mager was facing prison time if convicted of using deadly force against a law enforcement officer. That charge was dismissed, but the assault charge Mager pleaded guilty to could have resulted in six months to two years in prison, Hanson said.

Hanson agreed to accept a downward departure for sentencing in Mager’s case because he is likely to successfully complete probation. Hanson also pointed out that Mager served about nine months in jail before his bail was lowered in September. Mager was released after posting a $10,000 bond  Sept. 15.

“I’ve spoken to the people he is working in another county for mental health issues and they say he is doing very well,” Hanson said.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 14.

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